Late-life depression is a form of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) that affects adults aged 60 and older. It can develop later in life or continue from earlier episodes and is often underdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with aging, physical illness, or cognitive decline.
Many older adults silently struggle with low mood, withdrawal, fatigue, and memory issues—assuming it’s a normal part of aging. But depression in later life is not inevitable, and it is treatable.
Depression in older adults can look different than it does in younger individuals. Symptoms may include:
These symptoms are often mistaken for aging-related changes, but they may signal treatable depression.
Older adults often face barriers to traditional depression treatment. Medications may not be well-tolerated due to interactions with other prescriptions, sensitivity to side effects, or cognitive impairments. Psychotherapy can also be less accessible due to transportation, mobility, or insurance limitations.
These factors make it critical to explore treatment options that are safe, effective, and tailored to the needs of aging adults.
Deep TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. At University Place TMS Clinic, we use BrainsWay’s H-Coil system—FDA-cleared and designed to reach deeper, broader areas of the brain.
Why it’s ideal for older adults:
TMS is recommended for adults aged 60+ who have been diagnosed with depression and haven’t experienced adequate relief from medications or therapy.
You may be a candidate if you:
We partner with families, physicians, and senior living communities to ensure continuity of care.
Deep TMS treatment is performed in our outpatient clinic, where seniors are made comfortable in a quiet, supportive setting. Each session involves wearing a padded helmet that delivers gentle magnetic pulses to the brain.
Treatment Overview:
Most patients begin to feel relief within the first few weeks of treatment.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that Deep TMS is effective and well-tolerated in patients aged 60 and older. It’s been shown to significantly reduce depressive symptoms—even in individuals who did not respond to medications.
Clinical Highlights:
These outcomes are similar to or better than results seen in younger adults—without the risks tied to polypharmacy or cognitive side effects.
Deep TMS is considered a highly safe option for older adults. It does not impair thinking, does not interfere with other medications, and causes only minimal, short-lived side effects in a small number of patients.
Common side effects may include:
We take extra care to ensure comfort and safety for every patient, regardless of age or mobility.
After years of grappling with the debilitating effects of depression and enduring a frustrating cycle of ineffective medications, I finally found a beacon of hope in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at the University Place TMS Clinic. This innovative treatment has not only alleviated my symptoms but has also restored my sense of self that I thought was lost forever. The compassionate team at the clinic made every step easy and accessible, providing support that reinforced my journey toward recovery. For anyone who feels trapped by depression or disillusioned by other treatments, exploring TMS could be the breakthrough you need to reclaim your life and well-being.
"After struggling for years with depression and medications that didn’t work, I finally started to feel like myself again with TMS. I wish I had known about this sooner."
– Dolores M., age 74
If you don’t see your plan listed, contact us—we’ll help you explore your options.
Email:✉️ contact@uptms.com
Phone:📞 +1(253)234-4199
