DEPRESSION

SIMPLE TIPS TO DECREASE RESIDENT DEPRESSION

Include patient in active participation during activities of daily living by letting them perform tasks with minimal assistance as possible

Provide emotional and social support by conveying compassion, empathy, and encourage expression of feelings

This message is from: Stephen Wagner, Nursing Student

Miami University

Source: Kurlowicz, L.H., & Harvath, T.A. (2008). Depression. In E. Capetuzi, D. Zwicker, M. Mezey, & T. Fulmer (Eds.) Evidence-Based Geriatric Nursing Protocols for Best Practice (3rd ed.), New York: Springer Publishing Company, Inc. Retrieved from: http://consultgerirn.org/topicsdepression/want_to_know_more

Stephen Wagner

04/28/10

NSG 461

I focused on depression for my assigned resident because depression is the most

recent concern when she was started on Lexapro two weeks ago. Currently she is on

Celexa after her insurance company would not cover Lexapro. Anyway, the depression

was a recent change and each week that I have visited her, she has become more

depressed. I browsed the GERI-RN website to look for protocols regarding depression.

The website provided an evidence-based content for depression and discussed its

background. The guideline also covered assessment parameters, care parameters,

expected outcomes, and other clinical practice guidelines. This article is important

because it stresses that depression is highly prevalent in institutionalized settings and

other medical complications. Depression also affects nutrition, amplifies pain and

disability, and further cognitive impairment. My resident has been admitted recently into

the special care unit and has been diagnosed with Alzheimers and chronic back pain. The

combination of the recent changes from going to her home to special care along with her

medical co morbidities put her at a high risk of depression.

The guideline also stresses the use of the Geriatric Depression Scale. I was not

able to find documentation to determine if that has been done. Obviously the recent

changes in client behavior triggered a quick response with antidepressants. The article

also listed nursing interventions geared towards lessening depression. In summation, the

article stresses care parameters to be individualized, safety precautions to be instituted,

removing/correcting etiologic medications and systemic disturbances, monitoring, and

enhancing physical function. The article also encouraged enhancing emotional/social

support, personal control, reinforcing strengths/capabilities, providing comfort measures,

and ensure appropriate mental-health link up. The guideline also outlined expected

patient outcomes addressing safety as the priority concern along with restoring function,

reduction of symptoms, and ensure appropriate psychiatric help.

Reference

Kurlowicz, L.H., & Harvath, T.A. (2008). Depression. In E. Capetuzi, D. Zwicker, M.

Mezey, & T. Fulmer (Eds.) Evidence-Based Geriatric Nursing Protocols

for Best Practice (3rd ed.), New York: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.