New research from Deakin University’s Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) suggests that appropriate antidepressant treatment in older adults may help extend the number of years they live in good health.
The study, led by Dr Najmeh Davoodian and Associate Professor Mohammadreza Mohebbi, found that appropriate antidepressant treatment was linked to an average increase of nearly three years in healthy life expectancy.
Dr Davoodian says the results highlight the importance of identifying and managing depression in later life.
‘It’s not just about extending life, it’s about improving the quality of those years.’
‘We found that treating eight older adults with depression could result in one person gaining an extra year of healthy, independent life’.
Dr Davoodian’s team is also exploring whether everyday health measures like waist size or blood markers can help predict healthy ageing, with the goal of preventing illness and supporting wellbeing in older populations.
Improving the quality of life in older adults
Dr Davoodian’s research highlights the importance of not just adding years to life, but ensuring those years are spent in good health. Encouragingly, proper treatment for depression, including the use of antidepressants, when necessary, can help older adults live longer, healthier, and more independent lives. These benefits are significant even for those managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
‘As people live longer, we want to ensure they’re doing so in good health.’
‘Our study reveals that depression among older adults is not merely a mental health issue; it can significantly reduce the time individuals live free from serious health problems like dementia, memory loss, or physical disability.’
‘For families, caregivers, and healthcare providers, these findings reinforce the importance of recognising and treating depression as part of routine care for older adults. Supporting mental health could be a powerful way to promote healthy aging and reduce the burden of age-related illnesses,’ Dr Davoodian says.
Advancing research on depression and healthy ageing
Dr Davoodian emphasises the need to continue research in this space to better understand how to help people live longer, healthier lives.
‘We’re exploring whether simple and affordable measures, for example, using blood glucose and triglyceride levels along with waist and height measurements, can help predict important health outcomes in older adults.’
‘These include how long someone is likely to live in good health (healthy life expectancy), their risk of heart disease, and even their overall risk of death,’ she explains.
By identifying these risks early, Dr Davoodian hopes to find better ways to prevent illness and support healthier aging.
