Depression is common in primary care settings (of which home care is an example). The high prevalence of depressive disorders in the general population, their significant morbidity and mortality, their recognized general underdiagnosis and undertreatment, along with the risk factors for this condition occurring commonly in those individuals receiving home care, all contribute to the importance of this assessment for the home care patient. As an example of the prevalence of depression in physically ill individuals, approximately 12% of the elderly who are hospitalized for problems such as hip fracture or heart disease are diagnosed with depression.