Reducing Depression in the Elderly Case Study by scribbler

Reducing Depression in the Elderly
A case study of how mental health training for nursing staff will alleviate depression in an elderly woman.
# 153374 | 2,049 words | 7 sources | APA | 2013 | US
Published on May 26, 2013 in Medical and Health (Nursing) , Psychology (Disorders) , Aging (General)


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Description:

The paper discusses the case of an elderly, widowed woman who is suffering from depression and refuses to take any interest in planning her day or routine. The paper considers the factors in this situation and reviews the literature on the experiences of medical and attendant teams that receive brief mental health training. The paper finds that a brief in-service training in mental health for the attendant and nursing staff would dramatically increase the quality of Susan's life and alleviate much of her depression.

From the Paper:

"There has been a dramatic increase in elderly population in the United States. The demand for geriatric nursing and attendant care is on the rise just as dramatically. Although the majority of nurses and aids provide care for geriatric patients, most receive only limited preparation in the training cycle. Older individuals represent a majority (and still growing) population of people who receive nursing care in the United States. Currently 13% of the nation's population (that is over 25 million people) is over
65 years of age. This makes up an eight-fold increase from 80 years ago. This is triple that of the United States population as a whole. By 2030 some 20 percent of American population will be over 65. Nearly 10 percent of the American population will be over 80 years old ("Older adults," 2000, p. 6).
"Residents who manifest symptoms of depression experience significant challenges to medical, social, functional and quality-of-life. In a Canadian Ministry of Health study, the consistent diagnosis of depression in patients who are seniors varied according to the care setting with the lowest levels reported amongst senior's living in the community (from 1% to 5%) and the highest levels among those who were in long-term care facilities ( from 14% to 42%). ("Depression among seniors," 2010, p.p. 1-2). So Susan's situation is very treatable."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Canadian Ministry of Health, Canadian Institute of Health. (2010). Depression among seniors in residential care. Ottawa, Ontario: Health Canada. Retrieved from ProQuest on April 16, 2011.
  • Choenarom, C., Williams, R.A., & Hagerty, B.M. (2005). The role of sense of belonging and social support on stress and depression in individuals with depression. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 19(1), 18-29. Retrieved from ProQuest on April 16, 2011.
  • Older adults: recommended baccalaureate competencies and curricular guidelines for geriatric nursing care. (2000, July). Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education/pdf/gercomp.pdf. Retrieved from ProQuest on April 16, 2011.
  • Highet, N.J, McNair, B.J., Davenport, T.A., & Hickie, I.B. (2004). "How much more can we lose?": carer and family perspectives on living with a person with depression. Medical Journal of Australia, 181(7), S6-S9.
  • Kunkel, S., & Wellin, V. (2006). Consumer voice and choice in long-term care. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co.

Cite this Case Study:

APA Format

Reducing Depression in the Elderly (2013, May 26) Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/case-study/reducing-depression-in-the-elderly-153374/

MLA Format

"Reducing Depression in the Elderly" 26 May 2013. Web. 23 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/case-study/reducing-depression-in-the-elderly-153374/>

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