Approximately nineteen million American adults experience depression. When an older person becomes depressed it is often falsely considered a normal part of aging or misdiagnosed as dementia. In seniors, depression lasts longer, co-exists with many medical illnesses and doubles the risk of death from cardiac disease. Depression in seniors also increases the risk of death from illness, while reducing the ability to successfully rehabilitate. Unfortunately, depression has been so stigmatized among seniors that many would rather suffer than seek treatment. In fact, even though depression is curable, only 10% of seniors seek help.
Depression in seniors is often the reaction to the many losses associated with aging. Our caregivers understand and respect that. They also understand that depression is not something a person can snap out of, rather, it is a very serious, yet curable disease.
Specialized Caregiver Training
We provide specialized disease management training for our caregivers so they better understand how to care for clients with depression. This training includes:
- Understanding the symptoms of depression
- Differentiating between depression and the blues
- Acknowledging that people do not bounce back from depression
- Showing Empathy by not addressing depression with a cheerful attitude
- Realizing that lectures on feeling grateful is not an appropriate course of action
How Our Specially Trained Caregivers Can Help
Our caregivers are trained to identify and report symptoms to professional staff members so they can determine whether the client suffers with depression, dementia or both. In addition, our caregivers are trained to identify hundreds of physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms including poor appetite, unwillingness to dress, lack of personal hygiene, forgetfulness, and the inability to make decisions.
How Our Registered Nurses and Social Workers Can Help
- Explain physician prescribed medications and how they treat depression
- Discuss side effects of the medication and the need to continue taking it as prescribed, even if your loved one is uncomfortable
- Report any concerns or abnormal side effects to the physician
- Contact the family and client with any concerns
How Our Geriatric Care Managers Can Help
- Help client and family understand the cause of depression
- Provide supportive counseling to discuss issues surrounding the depression
- Ensure client and family understand that depression is not normal and can be treated effectively
- Refer client and family to specialized geriatric physicians and mental health professionals
- Explain there will be a short adjustment period with SSRI medications during which your loved one may experience discomfort. Also, explain the benefits of staying on the medication as prescribed
- Educate client and home health caregiver on the importance of creating more structure, stimulation and activity to supplement medication and counseling
Teach family and home health caregiver how to meet the challenges of caring for a chronically or clinically depressed person
