Unfortunately, people do not tend to “grow out of” mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, as they become older. In fact, mental health problems may be exacerbated by physical conditions, such as chronic pain, hearing and vision loss, and reduced mobility. Aging can be stressful and challenging even for relatively healthy older adults, because familial social supports and contexts often change as life-long friends pass away and move to warmer climates or retirement communities. It’s important for family members to be on the lookout for signs of depression, including lack of appetite and excessive sleepiness. Below is a link to an interesting and concerning article from Kaiser Health about suicide among seniors in nursing homes. Also, when in doubt about a loved ones mental state be on the safe side and call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 1-800-273-8255