Nursing Home Abuse
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Nursing Home Residents and Depression
Depression is a very serious problem that can have devastating effects. There are many reasons for depression in nursing homes, and its causes differ greatly from resident to resident. Depression among nursing home residents is consistently under-diagnosed. Therefore, it may be up to family members and friends to recognize its signs and symptoms. This overview discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatments of nursing home depression. If you suspect that a loved one in a nursing home may be depressed, talk to his or her care provider or physician.
Why is nursing home depression under-diagnosed?
Generally, nursing home depression is under-diagnosed because care providers at nursing homes are often understaffed and overworked. This means that care providers are unable to spend adequate time with the residents to notice the symptoms of depression. Understaffing hinders a care provider's ability to get to know the residents' personalities, which makes it difficult, if impossible, to notice a personality change.
Causes of depression in nursing homes
Contrary to popular belief, depression is not a natural symptom of aging. Depression is more common among nursing home residents than it is among the elderly population outside of nursing homes. Experts say that there are a variety of reasons for this. Among them is the fact that generally residents of nursing homes are in worse health than the elderly outside of nursing homes. Poor health can affect one's psychological outlook. Second, certain medications are known to cause depressive effects. Any nursing home resident who is prescribed medication should be monitored. Finally, as hard as nursing homes try to make facilities seem like home, a nursing home is still an institutional health facility similar to a hospital. In general, depression is more common among institutional health facility residents. More work is needed to encourage social contact among nursing home residents, workers, and families.
Symptoms of depression
As previously stated, nursing home care providers are often understaffed and very busy. This hinders their ability to notice depression among the residents. Therefore, it is often up to family and friends to monitor a loved one for signs of depression.
The following are some symptoms of depression:
- Changes in appetite. This can include eating more or less.
- Personality changes. This includes becoming more withdrawn and anti-social.
- Change in sleep patterns. This can mean sleeping more or less.
- Lack of energy.
- Lack of interest in activities that used to excite the person.
- Thoughts or talk of suicide and feeling of worthlessness.
- Becoming irritable or agitated.
- Difficulty with concentration and memory.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should talk with the resident's care provider, physician, or a long-term care ombudsman.
Treatment
Depression can be treated. Treatments may depend on the root cause of the depression. For example, if a resident is depressed as a result of lack of social contact, a care provider may set up social activities for the resident. In addition, if an illness or physical impairment is causing the depression, a care provider may prescribe certain medications to lessen the effects of the illness, or arrange physical therapy to improve the resident's physical impairment. Finally, certain medications may also be used to help alleviate depression.
Conclusion
Depression among nursing home residents is a common problem that may go unnoticed by nursing facility care providers. It is often up to family and friends to monitor a loved one who lives in a nursing home for signs of depression. Remember that depression is treatable. If a loved one who is a resident of a nursing home displays any of the symptoms of depression, you should contact the person's care provider, physician, or a long-term care ombudsman.
Form: Nursing Home Residents and Depression
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Nursing Home Residents and Depression
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