Depression affects millions of older adults, and it's often harder to treat later in life. Many seniors find that antidepressants don’t work well—or come with side effects that make things worse. But there’s good news: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is emerging as a highly effective, drug-free treatment for late-life depression.
At Braincare Carlsbad, we’re committed to offering personalized, science-backed care for people of all ages. That’s why we tuned in to the recent webinar: “Ask A TMS Expert: Real World Effectiveness of TMS in Late-Life Depression.” The webinar was conducted by Neuronetics, the providers of the Neurostar TMS device we use here at the clinic.
Here’s what we learned, and why it matters.
The first key takeaway? TMS is just as safe for adults over 65 as it is for younger people. Experts confirmed that:
The main concern is that older adults are often on multiple medications, which may lower the seizure threshold. That’s why it’s critical to work with experienced providers—like our team at Braincare Carlsbad—who tailor treatment with medical history in mind.
So, does TMS actually help seniors with depression? The answer appears to be yes.
While large studies focused specifically on depression in older adults are still underway, real-world outcomes are encouraging. Many people in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s have experienced significant improvement with TMS, especially when other treatments failed.
What’s still being studied:
Depression in older adults is often more complex due to:
This makes non-drug depression treatments like TMS especially valuable. Unlike antidepressants, TMS doesn’t interact with other medications or cause systemic side effects.
Here’s why TMS therapy is gaining popularity among older adults and their families:
At Braincare Carlsbad, we offer personalized TMS therapy for seniors. We evaluate your medical history, medications, and brain health to ensure you receive the safest and most effective care possible.
If you or someone you care about is facing treatment-resistant depression later in life, it’s important to know that help is available—and hope is real.
TMS for late-life depression offers a promising, gentle alternative to traditional treatments. And at Braincare Carlsbad, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how TMS can help, or contact us here with your questions.