Part I: Concepts. Depression incidence: past, present and future - G Chaisson-Stewart; The diagnostic dilemma - G Chaisson-Stewart; Tragedies of inappropriate or inadequate treatment - G Chaisson-Stewart; An integrated theory of depression - G Chaisson-Stewart; Part II: Diagnosis. Psychological assessment of depression in older adults - A Kaszniak and J Allender; Differentiating depression from organic brain syndromes in older age - A Kaszniak et al; Part III: Intervention. Drug treatment - J Spar; Nutrients and nutrition - R Weg; Exercise - C Shisslak and J Utic; Psychotherapy - G Steward Chaisson; Group therapy - E Yost and M Corbishley; Voluntarism - B Heller et al; Planning a therapeutic institutional environment - E Kettel and G Chaisson-Stewart; Index.