Geriatric Despondency

Group Name: 
PTPH
Kathy Haller
Depression in aging adults
Problem: 

Depression in the elderly adult population. The elderly are at high risk for depression because they are more likely than younger people to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function and loss of independence. The long range effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person.

Context: 

Identify signs and symptoms consistent with depression in older adults. Utilize age-appropriate validated depression scales when diagnosing and monitoring effects of treatment for depression,
select appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for elderly patients with depression by considering factors such as medical history, concurrent medications, and the potential risks and benefits associated with therapeutic options

Discussion: 

Depression tends to last longer in elderly adults. It can also increase the risk of death. Studies of nursing home patients with physical illnesses have shown that the presence of depression substantially increased the likelihood of death from those illnesses. Depression also has been associated with increased risk of death following a heart attack. For that reason, making sure that an elderly person you are concerned about is evaluated and treated is important, even if the depression is mild.

Solution: 

Making sure that an elderly person you are concerned about is evaluated and treated is important, even if the depression is mild.

Verbiage for pattern card: 

Depression in the elderly adult population. The elderly are at high risk for depression because they are more likely than younger people to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function and loss of independence. The long range effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person.
Making sure that an elderly person you are concerned about is evaluated and treated is important, even if the depression is mild. Depression tends to last longer in elderly adults. It can also increase the risk of death. Studies of nursing home patients with physical illnesses have shown that the presence of depression substantially increased the likelihood of death from those illnesses. Depression also has been associated with increased risk of death following a heart attack. For that reason, making sure that an elderly person you are concerned about is evaluated and treated is important, even if the depression is mild.