Depression and Older AdultsChristie Keller DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BCAdvances in Family Practice Nursing
Depression is a common problem among older adults, according to the National Institute on Aging. Life circumstances, like the loss of a loved one; medical conditions like Alzheimer’s (or another form of dementia) or a stroke; and certain medications can all make older adults prone to ...
Depression in older people is associated with more functional and cognitive impairment than depression in younger adults1 and carries significant costs for the person, the family, and the NHS. Comorbid physical illness, poor social support, and bereavement are known to increase risk of developing ...
What do I need to know about depression in older adults?Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness or hopelessness that do not go away. The person may lose interest in things he or she used to enjoy. Depression is common in older adults, but it is not a normal part...
2% reported prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults aged ≥ 55 years; clinically significant depressive symptoms (even in absence of MDD) may be present in 8%-16% of older adults 2, 4 prevalence reported to increase substantially among older adults aged > 85 years, and those...
treat depression in older adults, they tend to pose greater risk for adverse events because of multiple medical comorbidities and drug-drug interactions in case of polypharmacy. High-quality evidence does not support the use of pharmacologic treatment of depression in patients with dementia. ...
Among older adults, depression is stigmatized. Depression may be perceived as a sign of weakness, not a disease. Yet, cl...
Older adults with depression are actually aging faster than their peers, UConn Center on Aging researchers report. Ad "These patients show evidence of accelerated biological aging, and poor physical and brain health," which are the main drivers of this association, says Breno Diniz, a UConn Sch...
(Silenor). Other potentially sedating antidepressants, such as Remeron or trazodone, are also sometimes prescribed for both purposes. The sleep aid Belsomra has also been found to be effective and safe in older adults. If there's no improvement in the sleep disorder or depression, a ...
(Silenor). Other potentially sedating antidepressants, such as Remeron or trazodone, are also sometimes prescribed for both purposes. The sleep aid Belsomra has also been found to be effective and safe in older adults. If there's no improvement in the sleep disorder or depression, a ...