Ch 15 Flashcards
Depression throughout ages
Similar
Depression specific to older adults
Less likely to admit depressive symptoms
More likely to experience depression along with other conditions
More likely to experience more serious consequences of depression
More likely to go unreported and undertreated
Symptoms of depression in older adults
More cognitive and physical symptoms (somatic presentation)
Apathy
Sense of emptiness (withdraw from social activities
Hypersomnia
Anorexia
Risk factors for depression in older adults
Female
Perso al or familial history
Loss of significant relationships
Lonliness
Stessful social environment
Being a caregiver
Lack of social supports
Loss of significant roles
Disabilities
How does depression affect medical problems
Depression can lead to other medical problems
Worsen pain, pain worsens depression
Nutritional deficiencies can be both a risk factor and an effect of depression
Effects of medication and alcohol
Adverse medication effects can be depression
Adverse effects of meds can simulate depressive syndrome by causing lethargy, insomnia and irritability
Withdrawal of med or alcohol can cause depressive episode
Alcohol relationship with depression
Circular relationship
Physical consequences of depression in older adults
loss of appetite
Weight loss
GI symptoms
insomnia/hyper
fatigue
loss of energy
pain
loss of libido
slowed or increased psychomotor activities
Psychosocial consequences in older adults
flat affect
Absence of feelings
Diminished life satisfaction
Feeling of guilt
Affective health = emotional health
Geriatric depression scale
Widely used across health care
Takes 5-7 mins
Can be used to detect depression\Can be used for older adults with cognitive impairment
Available in 30 other languages
Tools in nursing must be
Well researched and evidence based
Widely used
Geriatrics
Pathology related
Nursing interventions for depression
Alleviating risk factors
Providing education/counselling
etc.
Improving psychosocial function
Promote autonomy, self-efficacy, and decision-making about daily care
Interventions that promote
socialization (ex. seniors groups, day programs, etc.)
Refer to support groups for older
adults dealing with life events (ex.
caregiving, widowhood, loss of
children)
How to alleviate risk factors for depression
Med reconciliation
Referral to AA for alcohol use
Interventions to improve functioning (continence products, sensory aids, mobility assists)
How to improve physical health through physical activityu
Encourage engagement in group individually tailored excersise program
Nutritonal interventions
How to provide education and counselling
Help older adults identify fears, provide reality based info
Assist older aadults to verbalize emotions
Encourage stroy-telling to help older sults acknowledge strengths and weakness
Active listening
SSRIs
A group of medications that treat depression
The first genre of medications to treat depression
quite safe, low side affects
General principals for anti-depressants
General principle
Start low and go slow
Alternative interventions
St Johns wort
Light therapy
Stress reduction interventions (Yoga, relaxation, exercerise)
Electroconvulsive therapy
ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy
