TY - JOUR PY - 2010// TI - Acknowledging, recognizing, and treating depression in elderly long-term care residents JO - Annals of long-term care A1 - Adams-Fryatt, A. SP - 30 EP - 32 VL - 18 IS - 11 N2 - Depression in individuals with dementia is associated with a decreased quality of life, increased healthcare use, and higher mortality rates. The prevalence of clinical depression in elderly long-term care (LTC) residents who have dementia is estimated to be as high as 63%. While actual suicide attempts may be uncommon in LTC facilities, death wishes and feelings of worthlessness are common, and these feelings should never be considered normal. LTC residents with depression who engage in selfharming behaviors, such as refusing food or medical care, may actually be attempting suicide. Although depression in the elderly often remains undiagnosed, prognosis is good when there is prompt recognition and treatment. This article seeks to raise awareness of depression in the elderly, which often presents atypically in this population, and discusses various treatment strategies.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1524-7929 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -