ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Mild to moderate depressive symptoms in the elderly are sometimes regarded by clinicians or family members as a natural consequence of aging. Substantial evidence, however, indicates that such symptoms have important individual and public health consequences (Beekman et al., 2002). Dysthymic disorder, minor depression, and related conditions are thought to affect as many as 15% of community-dwelling elders (Blazer, 1994) and as many as 70% of those living in long-term care settings (Mulsant and Ganguli, 1999), contributing to widespread functional impairment and morbidity (Rollman and Reynolds, 1999).
