Geriatric depression: concepts and risk factors: a literature review

ABSTRACT

The population increase of the elderly in Chile, as well as worldwide, has caused the appea-rance of phenomena specific to older adulthood, including Geriatric Depression. The aim of this review is to describe the main concepts and risk factors of Geriatric Depression. This review is structured in three main sections "Older adulthood", "Geriatric Depression", and "Factors associated with Geriatric Depression", the latter is subdivided into "Psychosocial Components" and "Physical Components". Finally, in the discussion it is highlighted that for future investigations, as well as for professionals, it is key to include an approach to older adulthood as a complex evolutionary cycle that is in a constant relationship with its social context.