Depression in Isolated Older Adult by Jessica Forno. Present Identified Health Problem. Depression is very common throughout the older adult population due to social isolation and other factors; such as change in living conditions e.g. economic (job loss and limited income), family history, personality (low self-esteem, self-critical and naturally depressive outlook), serious medical illness and substance use (Gouda & Okamoto, 2012). Depression can be treated with therapy and medications but depression is more complex than a simple chemical imbalance. As stated in the on-foot survey, 19.7% of Wulguru is aged 60 and over and between 10 to 15 percent of community-dwelling older adults experience depression and its higher in residential care homes at 35 percent (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016). Depression is a health problem for older adults in Wulguru as social isolation is a major challenge for them due to limited community activities such as community gardens, reading/knitting groups, easily accessed physical activity areas e.g. tennis courts, bowls area, …show more content…
The writers of this article conducted a door to door survey about the prevalence of depression in a small urban elderly population of 65 years or over in Turkey; and what puts that population both locally and globally at risk of developing depression in the late phase of life. The researchers (Yaka, Keskinoglu, Ucku, Yener & Tunca, 2014, p. 150), believe that by 2020 “the second leading cause of disease burden” will be depression in older adults and conclude that health care professionals need to be able to education, recognize, and care for elderly patients diagnosed with depression. As well as emphasising the importance of understanding the effects that chronic disease has on a person’s health and wellbeing (Yaka, Keskinoglu, Ucku, Yener & Tunca, 2014, p.
A 38-year-old single woman, Gracie, was referred for treatment of depressed mood. She spoke of being stressed out due to conflicts at work, and took a bunch of unknown pills. She reported feeling a little depressed prior to this event following having ovarian surgery and other glandular medical problems. She appeared mildly anxious and agitated. She is frequently tearful, but says she does not have any significant sleep or appetite disturbance. She does, however, endorse occasional suicidal ideation, but no perceptual disturbances and her thoughts are logical and goal-directed.
This paper introduces a 35-year-old female who is exhibiting signs of sadness, lack of interest in daily activities and suicidal tendencies. She has no interest in hobbies, which have been very important to her in the past. Her lack of ambition and her suicidal tendencies are causing great concern for her family members. She is also exhibiting signs of hypersomnia, which will put her in dangerous situations if left untreated. The family has great concern about her leaving the hospital at this time, fearing that she may be a danger to herself. A treatment plan and ethical considerations will be discussed.
It is estimated that 11-78% of residents in nursing homes are suffering from depression, especially those with dementia (Volicer, Frijters, Van der Steen, 2011). Elderly depression can have many causes, however it is widely believed a decline in physical health, and reduced contact with family and friends are two of the most prominent reasons (Llewellyn-Jones, 2007). With limited to no family contact, elderly like the rest of us feel lonely, forgotten and unimportant. On the contrary, a study conducted by researchers Holahan and Moos found with family support, depression in elderly people decreased over a one year time span (Greenglass, Fiskenbaum, Eaton, 2006). Therefore, if more elderly residents of nursing and retirement homes are visited by their family members, their mental and physical well being will likely increase. I have witnessed at the retirement home I work at, some of the residents consistently have family visit them while others I have ever seen them have a visitor. The ones who are visited, often tend to be noticeably happier and healthier, while the ones who usually remain alone tend to be more unhappy and physically unwell. For instance, I worked last Christmas and I was surprised by the amount of residents who remained in the facility on Christmas day. Although the majority of the residents went home, there still were about 25-30 out of approximately 100 residents who remained on Christmas Day. The fact that these residents had no family to spend the holiday with, or were not invited by their family members was heartbreaking, especially since holidays like Christmas are heavily focused on family relationships. Exclusion and isolation, similar to what the remaining residents experienced on Christmas day, can be interpreted by the elderly as a loss of their family 's respect and may feel as though they are a
Atchley, R. C., Barusch, A. S. (2004). Social Forces & Aging: An Introduction to Social Gerontology. (10th
Depression is a serious mental health illness which affects an individuals’ mind, body and mood. It is a chronic and lifelong health condition (NICE, 2006) thought to be caused by a number of biological factors including neurotransmitter disturbances in the brain and an element of genetic vulnerability; these are often in addition to psychosocial factors such as the occurrence of undesirable life events, limited social network options, poor self esteem and the occurrence of any adverse life events during a persons’ lifetime (Bernstein, 2006). Depression can have an impact on a persons’ ability to do many things including working, engaging with others, participating fully in family life or maintaining relationships, and it can also impact on a person...
Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.
Ageing is distinguished from disease by the fact that it is universal. Multiple pathologies resulting in multiple symptoms, often non-specific, are a common phenomenon in the elderly (Arokiasamy, 1996). Few elderly persons escape the accumulation of chronic pathologies and long term non fatal diseases, which are degenerative in nature, as they grow older. According to Mental Health Quality of Life (MHQoL), there are 49.6% of older Malaysian having at least one to two chronic condition and 22.3% of the older population having more t...
Suicide is a very tragic life event for the victim, victim’s friends and family members and to society as a whole. We often hear about suicide deaths that occur in younger and middle-aged adults in the media but rarely is such attention given to elderly suicide (65 and older). In the United States there is a higher rate of suicide amongst the elderly than in any other part of the population. There are many factors to this problem, however depression among the elderly was recorded as the major contributing factor that lead them to suicide. Every elderly that committed suicide was reported to have been depressed. Understanding the contributing factors that lead to depression amongst the elderly might shed light on the issue. Many studies have shown that depression coupled with risk factors increase tendency of suicide ideation among the elderly. Risk factors such as chronic illness, pain, physical and mental disabilities, isolation, loneliness, role change (retirement), lack of financial security and social support, bereavement, alcohol abuse, hopelessness and dependability have been pointed out as major contributing factors for the high number of depression experienced by the elderly. Society has identified depression and suicides among the elderly are a social problem, but little have been done to educate the public.
An analysed qualitative study of 120 active elderly subjects found out that marital status, income and leisure activities as well as psychological factors assessed by the Geriatric Depression scale had an impact on the quality of life of the seniors citizens (Alexandre, Cordeiro, & Ramos,
The elderly represents a large amount of the population in our society and continues to grow each day. As the population grows, it is important to meet the demands and resolve the challenges that we encounter in regards to the overall quality of health and well-being of the elderly. Mental health of the elderly is a major issue but majority of the time goes unnoticed and untreated by caregivers and loved ones. About 20 percent of adults 55 and older are suffering from some type of mental health disorder, and one in three elderly adults do not receive any type of treatment (The State of Mental Health, 2008). Those suffering from mental illness are hesitant to seek out help or any type of treatment because of the stigma, services and cost for care that then comes with mental health disorders. Mental health issues that affect elderly include dementia, delirium, and psychosis. Some of the most common conditions include anxiety, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder and cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mental health is essential to the
Depression is a serious and common problem that affects people of all social class and racial group throughout the world. They are good and affordable treatment for depression. Most people who have depression do not receive adequate treatment. We must do more and do better to take care of ourselves. It is not easy for any of us to tackle a problem of this magnitude, but by being responsible and taking care of our own health and mental well-being needs, we can also reach out to help others who are dealing with depression or other mental issues by sharing with them information’s and pointing them in the right direction to find the help they need.
Cassano, P. Fava, M. (2002). Depression and public health: an overview. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 53, 849–857. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.com/resources/depression.php
...ent Depression INT) Depression can be cause from numerous reasons. Isolation is believed to be the biggest reason for depression. They feels as if they have no family anymore since their family do not visit as they would like, and sometimes their families will not come visit at all. Just being in a nursing home puts some residents into a depressed state. Visiting with a relative that’s living in a nursing home can help them from being depressed
It is safe to say almost every person will be affected by Depression during their lifetime one way or another, either having to go through this demoralizing disorder themselves or witnessing family and friends struggle to cope with it. Every human being is prone to depression, leaving individuals and those close to them in states of sorrow and helplessness. Depression not only affects the mind but targets the whole body, draining individuals of their energy and immobilizing them from doing normal day to day activities, especially those which are known to be essential for overall wellbeing such as Leisure activities (Pressman et al., 2009). Leisure participation encompasses a very broad spectrum of activities and past times unique for
Elder’s support system can consist of their siblings, children, partners, friends, and caregivers such as nurses. Santrock (2013) explains that having a support system helps elders have a lower probability of depression, institutionalization, and cognitive decline. Studies have also shown that elder’s tend to be more positive with the contact of a small circle of close friends and relatives. If for any reason an elder does not have a support system to help them cope with their aging there are numerous ways they can receive the support. Santrock (2013) explains that when an older adult has social isolation and loneliness it can result in depression and mortality. To help lower the chances of an elder having depression there are nursing homes, group homes, classes, and therapies. It is crucial for elders to have a positive support system to help them stay on a life path they are happy