Depression as a clinical syndrome has been identiJied as the most significant mental health problem in later life. However, it is less likely to be recognised by health and social care practitioners than is depression among younger people. Even when depression is recognised, medical, psychological and social interventions are infrequent. Behaviour appears to be affected by negative beliefs about effectiveness despite evidence to the contra y. The purpose of this article is to summarise the research on older people at risk of depression, identify important signs and symptoms which will help practitioners recognise it, consider the usual treatment approaches, outline effective psychosocial interventions and highlight important factors for therapists to consider in their work with older people.