title: Assessing the mental health of rural older adults in public housing facilities: a comparison of screening tools.
abstract: This pilot study assessed the prevalence of mental health disorders and cognitive impairment among rural older adults living in a public housing facility and compared screening tools in this setting. Interviews were completed with 20 of the 38 residents older than 60 years. Survey instruments included the following: Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD), Medical Outcomes 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and Global Assessment Scale (GAS). Depressive disorders were identified in 50% (n = 10) of participants and included major depression (25%), minor depression (20%), and dysthymia (5%). Cognitive impairment was identified in 15% (n = 3) of participants. Comparative analysis of instruments administered showed high correlations among the PRIME-MD, MADRS, GAS, and SF-36. The screening instruments identified for depression and cognitive impairment can be used reliably by nurses in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Copenhaver
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards; D011638:Public Housing; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors