This article segment below is short and offers some specific advice that can truly help.  There are a couple of nuggets that were important for us to learn:  (1) depression can be a side effect of particular illnesses and/or medications, and (2) not all antidepressants are right for older people.
 
The piece below is from an article titled “Depression in Older Adults and the Elderly: Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms” found on helpguide.org.

Depression treatment is just as effective for elderly adults as it is for younger people.  Therapy, support groups, and medication can all help relieve symptoms.  However, health issues should always be considered in an older adult’s treatment plan.

Any medical issues complicating the depression must be addressed and resolved.  For example, many seniors suffer from chronic pain.  Pain that interferes with daily activities can prevent depression recovery, so it must be managed as part of the treatment plan.

Antidepressant treatment

Antidepressant medications may help ease the symptoms of depression in the elderly.  However, if the depression is due to loneliness, poor health, or other lifestyle issues, medication may not be the best choice.

Antidepressant use in older adults also comes with safety concerns that it’s important to be aware of.  Older adults are more sensitive to drug side effects and vulnerable to interactions with other medicines they’re taking.  Depressed seniors may also forget to take the medication.  Furthermore, recent studies have found that SSRIs such as Prozac can cause rapid bone loss and a higher risk for fractures and falls.  Because of these risks, elderly adults on antidepressants should be carefully monitored.

Counseling and therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Studies have found that therapy works just as well as medication in relieving mild to moderate depression.  And unlike antidepressants, therapy also addresses the underlying causes of the depression.

• Supportive counseling includes religious and peer counseling.  It can help ease loneliness and the hopelessness of depression.
• Psychotherapy helps people work through stressful life changes, heal from losses, and process difficult emotions.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change negative thinking patterns, deal with problems in healthy ways, and develop better coping skills.
• Support groups for depression, illness, or bereavement connect people with others who are going through the same challenges.  They are a safe place to share experiences, advice, and encouragement.