Discusses the ethical dilemma that occurs when a depressed older person refuses necessary life support using the case example of a 77 yr old man with medical problems & severe depression who refused hemiodialysis & asked to be allowed to die. This ethical dilemma is reviewed in terms of depression & decision-making capacity, suicide vs life-sustaining therapy, surrogate decision making, & autonomy & beneficence for the depressive. (50 refs.)