Geriatric Depression and Living Situations Term Paper by scribbler

Geriatric Depression and Living Situations
A review of the research on the correlation between geriatric depression and independent living vs. assisted living environments.
# 152703 | 1,157 words | 6 sources | APA | 2013 | US
Published on Apr 19, 2013 in Aging (Gerontology) , Psychology (General)


$19.95 Buy and instantly download this paper now

Description:

The paper examines the research on whether people who choose to live at home and remain as independent as possible for as long as possible can avoid geriatric depression longer than other older adults in assisted living environments. The paper shows how many of the risk factors for geriatric depression and suicide seem to coincide with improper or inadequate care at home, and therefore concludes that geriatric depression is no more prevalent at home as it is in assisted living arrangements. The paper finds that stressors may be triggered as transitions occur, and depression can occur anywhere there are not proper mental or physical support structures in place. The paper argues that it is critical that home care and assisted living operations reassess their own mission and goals to better align their services with the needs of the population they are serving.

From the Paper:

"The Hicks and Wood (2009) article posits that the risk factors for geriatric depression and suicide increase when people are moved to a transitional or assisted living environment. This type of depression also frequently goes unrecognized as it is often difficult to train assisted living employees to recognize all the symptoms and warning signs of geriatric depression. The fact that these same employees often have to care for dozens of older adults in an assisted living complex also does not help in recognizing geriatric depression. But this type of depression does not occur exclusively in assisted living environments. Geriatric depression and suicide can occur anywhere and statistically, those over 65 years of age account for 18% of all suicides (Hicks and Wood, 2009). This is quite staggering, and reveals a deficit in care for this population.
"Other authors agree that while assisted living environments and even hospice care can help to ease the stressors and tensions in the lives of many older adults, many of the services and programs that are designed to help this portion of the population are either inadequate or misguided. Just like in any other age group, different people respond to different treatments in different ways."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Bruce, Martha L. et. al. (2002). "Major depression in elderly home health care patients." American Journal of Psychiatry. Vol. 159, No. 1. Pp. 1367-1374.
  • Cheek, Julianne, et. al. (2006). "Improving care transitions of older people: Challenges for today and tomorrow." Quality in Ageing- policy, practice, research. Vol. 7, No. 4. Pp. 18-26.
  • Hicks, Lou Etta and Wood, Norma. (2009). "Depression and suicide risks in older adults: a case study." Home Healthcare Nurse. Vol. 27, No. 8. Pp. 482-487.
  • Teresi, Jeanne, et. al. (2001). "Prevalence of depression and depression recognition in nursing homes." Social Psychiatry. Vol. 36. Pp. 613-620.
  • Wagenaar, Deborah B., et. al. (2003). "An administrator's perspective on mental health and assisted living." Psychiatric Services. Vol. 54, No. 12. Pp. 1644-1645.

Cite this Term Paper:

APA Format

Geriatric Depression and Living Situations (2013, April 19) Retrieved December 08, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/geriatric-depression-and-living-situations-152703/

MLA Format

"Geriatric Depression and Living Situations" 19 April 2013. Web. 08 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/geriatric-depression-and-living-situations-152703/>

Comments