There are around 56 million people ages 65 and older in the U.S., and it's heartbreaking to think that around 14 million of them report some degree of depression, especially if they require home health care.

The consequences are far-reaching. Depression in seniors causes epigenetic changes to genes (turning them on or off) that increase body-wide inflammation, accelerate biological aging, and impair cognition, according to a study in the journal Nature.

It has also led to a 13% increase in intentional overdoses, mostly from opioids, in the past 20 years.

If you're over 65 and feeling blue, talk to a therapist and discuss medication if appropriate. You should also make sure to get exercise daily (anything from chair yoga to walking and pickleball), establish a sleep schedule (for help, see a sleep specialist), make an effort to build a posse or increase your interaction with yours, volunteer to help others, and pursue a hobby.

Each of those steps is proven to help raise people’s spirits.

If you have loved ones who seem depressed, you can help them by enlisting friends and family to interact frequently with them through phone calls and visits, helping them join support groups or cultivate a hobby, and talking to their doctor about getting "social prescribing."

The Cleveland Clinic has found that having a prescription for interacting with others is a very effective way to help seniors overcome loneliness, isolation, and depression.