Depression and older people.
Nearly a third of older people admitted for acute hospital care experience depression. Rates of depression are even higher in care homes. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness among nurses of this debilitating condition and its potentially fatal consequences, and to suggest interventions that can bring about improvement. Although challenging for nurses, detecting and treating depression can bring enormous benefits for older people and, in some cases, can mean the difference between life and death.
Waugh
Anna
A
Bell College, School of Health, Dumfries.
D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention