Abstract

A recent study conducted in a naturally occurring retirement community (NORC) in Five Towns, Long Island, New York revealed not only are older adults maintaining their independence as long as possible , they abhor any semblance of being less able to function in the community. As a result of this tenacious sense of independence, a large percentage of older adults interviewed revealed being hesitant to express feelings of sadness, depression, or any mental health related conditions to their primary care physicians. In some instances primary care physicians may be remiss in addressing depressive symptoms in their older patients. Seniors sometimes contribute to this under or misdiagnosis because they are hesitant to disclose symptoms around mental health issues. This is because they do not want to be perceived as less able to maintain their independence and appear psychologically inept.