Ch 15

Question 1

Depression throughout ages

Answer 1

Similar

Question 2

Depression specific to older adults

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Symptoms of depression in older adults

Answer 3

More cognitive and physical symptoms (somatic presentation)
Apathy
Sense of emptiness (withdraw from social activities
Hypersomnia
Anorexia

Question 4

Risk factors for depression in older adults

Answer 4

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

Question 5

How does depression affect medical problems

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Effects of medication and alcohol

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Alcohol relationship with depression

Answer 7

Circular relationship

Question 8

Physical consequences of depression in older adults

Answer 8

loss of appetite
Weight loss
GI symptoms
insomnia/hyper
fatigue
loss of energy
pain
loss of libido
slowed or increased psychomotor activities

Question 9

Psychosocial consequences in older adults

Answer 9

flat affect
Absence of feelings
Diminished life satisfaction
Feeling of guilt

Question 10

Affective health = emotional health

Question 11

Geriatric depression scale

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Tools in nursing must be

Answer 12

Well researched and evidence based
Widely used

Question 13

Geriatrics

Answer 13

Pathology related

Question 14

Nursing interventions for depression

Answer 14

Alleviating risk factors
Providing education/counselling
etc.

Question 15

Improving psychosocial function

Answer 15

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)

Question 16

How to alleviate risk factors for depression

Answer 16

Med reconciliation
Referral to AA for alcohol use
Interventions to improve functioning (continence products, sensory aids, mobility assists)

Question 17

How to improve physical health through physical activityu

Answer 17

Encourage engagement in group individually tailored excersise program

Nutritonal interventions

Question 18

How to provide education and counselling

Answer 18

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

Question 19

SSRIs

Answer 19

A group of medications that treat depression

The first genre of medications to treat depression

quite safe, low side affects

Question 20

General principals for anti-depressants

Answer 20

General principle

Start low and go slow

Question 21

Alternative interventions

Answer 21

St Johns wort
Light therapy
Stress reduction interventions (Yoga, relaxation, exercerise)
Electroconvulsive therapy

Question 22

ECT

Answer 22

Electroconvulsive therapy