If you've felt "down", sad, or hopeless and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for two weeks straight, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression.

Depression among seniors is frequently under-diagnosed by health care providers.  Seniors have unique life challenges that may cause feelings of sadness - loss of loved ones and increasing difficulties with performing daily tasks are among the issues that seniors deal with.  If you are feeling sad and are not enjoying activities you once took pleasure in, make sure you mention this to your health care provider.  There is no reason to let depression rob you of the many pleasures of life.  New medications are available and effective against depression in seniors.