Final answer:
Risk factors for depression in late adulthood include inadequate social support, depressed individuals often outnumber those without depression, and the presence of chronic medical conditions is one of the strongest risk factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk factors for depression in late adulthood include inadequate social support and a lack of positive social interactions. Depressed individuals often outnumber those without depression, and this ratio tends to increase with age. Some people are more prone to responding to the accumulation of everyday stressors, while others may only respond to traumatic events. Aging itself puts elderly individuals at a higher risk of developing depression.
Emotional isolation or the loss of significant others can also contribute to depression in late adulthood. However, one of the strongest risk factors for depression in the elderly is the presence of chronic medical conditions. The more severe and numerous these conditions are, the more likely older adults are to experience depressive symptoms.