Abstract. Depression is a common disease in the people over 60 years of age and the prevalence varies between 5% and 16%. Depression can appear for the first time or recur in late life. Depending on whether the depression is within a uni- or bipolar disorder, it has its peculiarities and different distribution. The depressive syndrome can be a part of, to precede or to be a result of a somatic disease. Cardiovascular diseases and some neurological and endocrine illnesses can cause or worsen the depressive disorder. With aging, besides biological, also many psychosocial changes affecting the onset, progression and the prognosis of depression occur. Due to the increased life expectancy and the aging of the population, the care of the elderly from a biological, psychological and social point of view is of great importance for better health and the respective improvement of the quality of life.

Key words: depression, late life, somatic comorbidity, psychosocial factors

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