Depression in older persons: Comprehensive nursing

Abstract

Depression in older persons is a major health problem. Undetected and untreated depression will affect quality of life, functional ability, dependency, and may lead to suicide. Nursing care in older persons with depression has many comprehensive issues such as: nursing assessment should consider in many factors related to depression in old age, different manifestations of depression in older persons from young adults, distinguishing features of depression and dementia, specific tools to assess, education and support older person with family and caregivers to continue medication to prevent relapse and observation of adverse drug reactions/ drug interactions that need special precautions, and specific psychosocial therapy for each older person to improve effectiveness of treatment.