41. True. Older adults commit suicide at a higher rate than any other age group (Blazer, 1990; Sargent, 1986).

42. False. A person who talks about suicide regardless of age is at high risk of doing so. Suicidal statements or acts should be taken seriously (Osgood, 1985; Sargent, 1986; Schmall, Lawson, & Stiehl, 1990).

43. True. Diagnostic signs of depression that are reliable in young people are sometimes misleading in older persons. The signs of depression can look like the symptoms of other medical illnesses common among older people (Salzman, 1984).

2-1. False. Depression is not normal or inevitable in later life. It is no more common than at other stages of life. In a recent epidemiological study of depression among the elderly community population, 19% suffered from mild dysphoria and 8% were more severely depressed (Blazer, Hughes, & George, 1987). Persons who are in long-term care facilities, those who suffer severe medical illnesses, or those who are extremely isolated experience a significantly higher prevalence of severe depression (Blazer, 1990).

2-2. False. Older adults are less likely than younger adults to spontaneously talk about being depressed (Blazer, 1990). To a large degree, this is a cohort effect, related to the era they were raised in which "you toughed things out" and "pulled yourself up by the bootstrap." They tend to view emotional distress as a sign of weakness (Thompson & Gallagher, 1986).

2-3. False. Such remarks imply that depression is willful and actually tell people who are depressed that their feelings are wrong or not important (Schmall, Lawson, & Stiehl, 1990). Most important is for family and friends to empathize with the older person while at the same time not reinforcing distorted negative thinking and self--defeating behaviors (Blazer, 1990; Sargent, 1986).