The concept of personality is gradually shifting from the stability of a categorical model of personality disorders towards a dimensional model (DSM-V). Personality traits, as defined by the Five-Factor Model (FFM, Costa & McCrae, 1992), impact on the clinical expression and outcome of late-life depression. They predict remission of depressive symptoms, clinical progress and improved quality of life in old age. Neuroticism is a predictor of depression, even after adjusting for physical burden and subjective impact of life stressors. Personality dimensions are associated with quality of life in old age, but not in young age, after controlling for acute depression features, physical health and psychosocial variables. FFM dimensions influence the poor recognition of late-life depression in old age patients by general hospital physicians. The dimensional FFM of personality offers a promising theoretical framework for clinicians who wish to adopt a person-centred approach that takes into account the patients' individual differences.