6.2% of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in a Multisite Sample Face Depression

A new study reported that the point prevalence of depression in a multisite sample of community-dwelling older adults aged 65 – 79 years was 6.2%.1

Individuals who are 65 – 69 years old face significant life changes, whether that be retirement or the onset of chronic disease, such as diabetes mellitus, anxiety, or cognitive decline.2 These life changes can contribute to depressive symptoms.

“Interestingly, their data show that the period around ‘normal’ retirement age — the mid-to late-60'’s — is one of higher depression prevalence,” said Soo Borson, editor of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, in a statement.

Borson added that in the early days of studying geriatrics in the US, retirement was recognized as a developmental stage full of potential risks, leading to people to feel a loss of purpose, personal value, and meaning—all of which can contribute to depression.

“Xi and colleagues point us once again to the value of ‘work’ in all its forms—especially the work of serving others long beyond the last paycheck,” Borson continued.

The study, led by Guohua Li, MD, DrPH, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University, leveraged data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers trial to assess the prevalence of depression in a multisite sample of community-dwelling adults aged 65 – 79 years.1

“Our findings help strengthen the existing research on the epidemiology and prevention of depression in older adults,” said first author Yitao Xi, MPH, a recent graduate in Epidemiology from Columbia Mailman School, in the press release.2 “Specifically, it provides empirical data on the prevalence of depression among community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. and the potential role of volunteering in mitigating the risk of depression among older adults.”

Participants were enrolled and assessed in this earlier study between July 2015 and March 2017 across 5 study sites: Ann Arbor, MI, Baltimore, MD, Cooperstown, NY, Denver, CO, and San Diego, CA. Depression was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression scale.1 The team also collected data on covariates: age, gender, age, and ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other), marital status, education level, annual household income, diabetes, anxiety disorder, volunteering status, neighborhood type (urban, suburban, rural), and study site.

Among 2990 participants, 186 (6.2%) had depression, with a significantly elevated prevalence of depression among those who were 65 – 69 years old (7.9%), women (7.2%), not married (8.1%), had an education of high school or less (8.3%), or had an annual household income < $50,000 (10.7%). Additionally, adults with a positive history of depression or chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and anxiety, had a significantly greater prevalence of depression.

Conversely, older adults who participated in volunteering activities had a significantly lower prevalence of depression than those who did not (4.1% vs 8.0%; P < .0001). An analysis adjusted for demographic characteristics and comorbidities had shown volunteering was linked to a 43% reduction in the odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 – 0.81).

“Our findings reaffirm the important role that sociodemographic and medical factors play in the prevalence of depression at the late phase of lifespan,” said Li in a statement.2 “Our study underscores the need for policies that bolster financial security for older adults and provides further evidence for the potential protective role of volunteering in mitigating the risk of depression.”

References

1. Xi Y, Mielenz TJ, Andrews HF, Hill LL, Strogatz D, DiGuiseppi C, Betz ME, Jones V, Eby DW, Molnar LJ, Lang BH, Li G. Prevalence of Depression in Older Adults and the Potential Protective Role of Volunteering: Findings From the LongROAD Study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2025 Jan 8. doi: 10.1111/jgs.19349. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39776414.
2. Study sheds light on depression in community-dwelling older adults. EurekAlert! January 8, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1069567. Accessed January 9, 2025.