This guide is designed to help readers understand depression and factors related to its onset in later life; recognize signs of depression and potential suicide; and know actions they can take if they suspect an older family member or friend may be depressed or contemplating suicide. Following a brief introduction, a chapter on depression discusses the severity of depression, explains how depression differs from grief, and examines types of depressive disorders. The next section examines what triggers depression. It considers a variety of factors, including heredity, biochemical changes, drugs, illness, personality, sensory loss, stress, and seasonal changes. A section on recognizing the signs of depression discusses age-related changes, denial, atypical signs, and physical illness. The next section offers advice to readers who want to help the depressed older person. A section on treatments for depression discusses medication therapy, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. A section on handling special problems describes what to do if the person denies being depressed, explains how a person can help from a distance, and instructs readers in how to identify and respond to a suicidal person. The document concludes with a section on myths and facts about depression and suicide, a final note on depression, and a list of publications for further reading on the subject of depression. (NB)