Researchers said in the article which will come out this week in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry that some of the mental illness such as depression has become an accepted part of aging. But reality is majority of 4.3 million Canadians considered as senior citizens live an active life at home and in the community. Some are even international travelers.
A recent report by the Canadian Internet Project even found out that 51 percent of Canadians over 60 are now online users, which is a rate unusually high compared to other countries.
But the report acknowledges that depression for some elderly Canadians may be caused by biological changes due to fluctuations in levels of brain chemicals and hormonal balance movements as they advance in years.
Another factor is sadness over witnessing friends and peers die, the loss of abilities and strength and marginalization that often occurs during old age.
The study observed that most elderly people have a difficulty articulating their feelings. So they report their depression by pointing to symptoms only such as restlessness, amnesia, poor appetite and neck and back pain.
The difficulties experienced by older Canadians is one reason why one in five seniors who have depression eventually take their own lives. Canadian men over 80 have the highest suicide per capita rate.
