Late-Life Depression and Anxiety

This book empowers health care professionals to identify and diagnose anxiety and depression in older adult patients and help them find relief, stay independent, and lower their risk of suicide. Material covers the unique factors facing older adults, including cognitive impairment, functional independence, and living near the end of life.

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Late-Life Depression and Anxiety is a cornerstone resource for clinicians who want to provide adults with late-life depression and anxiety the support they need to live better lives and to prevent suicide in this population.


Patients who receive proper mental health treatment through early and appropriate interventions can enjoy a higher quality of life, without the unnecessary suffering and oppressive health care costs that come with undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed, mental illness. Most older adults seek mental health care from a primary care provider, who may not have the time or tools to help them—until now. This robust resource gives primary physicians and other health care professionals the information they need to support older adults seeking help for anxiety and depression.



Late-Life Depression and Anxiety offers both high-quality research and knowledge and evidence-based frameworks and techniques to provide solutions for every clinician who wants to screen, diagnose, and successfully treat older adults with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. This convenient guide empowers day-to-day practice with recognized assessment methods, case examples modeling diagnostic and treatment techniques, and the latest information and resources for patients, families, and caregivers.


Health care professionals at every stage of their career will benefit from the book's informed examination of what depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention look like for older adults today. This actionable guide delivers step-by-step advice for turning theory into practice. The chapter authors, all of whom are leading educators and practitioners, bring together a blend of essential tools and know-how for optimizing outcomes, including the following:


• Information on accurate, easy-to-use instruments for identifying depression and anxiety in older adults, as well as estimating the risk of suicide
• Up-to-date thinking and assessment tools to help clinicians fully understand the medical, behavioral, personal, social, and spiritual factors influencing patients' coping and help-seeking behavior
• Best practices for educating older adult patients and their families on mental health and suicide prevention, including creating a suicide safety plan
• Informed guidance on counseling older adults with respect for their individual abilities, beliefs, and cultures, including those in the LGBTQ+ community


Anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are not normal parts of aging. Late-Life Depression and Anxiety is an invaluable guide for health care professionals as they work with patients and families to guide them along a path of healthy aging.