Current state of research on psychotherapy for home-living vulnerable older adults with depression

Depression is a common mental disorder in later life. An international meta-analysis found a pooled prevalence of 7.2% (95% confidence interval, CI 4.4–10.6%) for major depression and 17.1% (95% CI 9.7–26.1%) for depressive disorders among adults 75 years and older [29]. Within the group of homebound older adults and those receiving home healthcare, depression rates increased by a factor of two or three have been reported [12]. A strong reciprocal relationship exists between depression and chronic physical conditions. Specifically, highly prevalent physical health problems, functional limitations and chronic con…