Depression in the Elderly in a Permanent Geriatric Stay

Abstract

Human aging is a gradual and adaptive process of a biological, psychological and social nature, produced as a consequence of genetically programmed changes, history, lifestyles, environment and social conditions to which the person was exposed. On the other hand, old age is a stage of life whose beginning is established by society, which is why the United Nations agreed that, in developing countries, people aged 60 and over are classified as older adults. The above is considered important because during aging structural and functional changes occur in different organs and systems. For this reason, as health professionals, we must know the normal morphological and functional changes of physiological aging, and thus guide the older adult to adapt and improve their lifestyle. Detection of depression in older adults and its treatment is of vital importance to improve the quality of life of older adults.