Depression in the Elderly in Nursing Homes

The aged nursing home residents of 2009 grew up in a world where people did not talk of such things as depression. Caregivers and family members can help these elderly people by identifying their psychological downturns.

Screening

• The AGS Foundation for Healthy Aging suggests that nursing home residents receive screening for depression. The elderly in nursing homes require depression assessment soon after arrival at the nursing home, and then regularly afterwards.

Risk Factors

• According to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, approximately seven groups of elderly patients at a high risk for depression. They include those with substance abuse, medical problems, and overall poor health, widows or widowers, and residents who have social or psychological problems.

Signs and Symptoms

• "Pharmacological Treatment of Depression in the Elderly Nursing Home Resident" outlines symptoms of depression in the elderly in nursing homes. Patients may present with delirium or dementia. Medical problems such as strokes and heart attacks often cause depression in nursing home patients. Other issues symptomatic of depression include psychotic symptoms. Along with these, symptoms like loss of appetite, loss of interest, insomnia, tearfulness, self-isolation, and thoughts of suicide are problems for depressed older adults.

Solution

• "Pharmacological Treatment of Depression in the Elderly Nursing Home Resident" report asserts that "Antidepressant medications are effective in 70 percent of elderly depressed patients." Some other suggestions for treatment are exercise, socialization, psychotherapy, and spiritual activities.

Prognosis

• According to the Hartford Institute of Geriatric Nursing Guidelines, elderly depressed patients in nursing homes have a good prognosis. The guidelines suggest that an effective personal plan for each patient will lead to reductions in symptoms, and increases in patient safety and functioning.