Geripods

The GeriPod broadcast series is offered for interdisciplinary practicing clinicians, students and others involved in primary care and aging.

These free podcasts are developed by the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging through its federally-funded New Jersey Geriatric Education Center and are available as a subscription or as individual episodes at no charge from iTunes University.

Topics include:

• Use of antipsychotics
• Depression
• Management of behavior problems

To access the series go to:
http://njisa.umdnj.edu/education/geripods/index2.html

Depression among seniors in residential care

More than two in five (44%) Canadian seniors living in residential care homes are diagnosed with or have symptoms of depression, according to a new study released May 20, 2010, by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

The study, Depression Among Seniors in Residential Care, is one of the largest of its kind in Canada to examine the prevalence of depression and the impact it has on persons living in residential care facilities, such as long-term care, nursing or personal care homes.

Based on data from CIHI’s Continuing Care Reporting System, the study included nearly 50,000 residents age 65 and older across four provinces and one territory (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon). CIHI’s study found that, while about one in four (26%) seniors living in a residential care facility had a diagnosis of depression, a further one in five (18%) had symptoms of depression with no documented diagnosis. Residents were considered to have symptoms of depression if they had a score of at least 3 on the Depression Rating Scale, which measures symptoms such as persistent anger, tearfulness and repetitive anxiety.

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=PG_2935_E&cw_topic=2935&cw_rel=AR_2129_E

Caring for a Depressed Elderly Parent

Depression is a common among the elderly, and caring for a depressed elderly parent can be difficult for family members.

This 17 minute podcast from Families for Depression Awareness is designed to inform caregivers how depression affects families and how to ease the burden of caregiving.

The podcast can be downloaded on iTunes or at:
http://familyaware.org/podcasts/Families Podcast

Down But Not Out

Age Concern's (UK) new campaign, 'Down, but not out', aims to improve the quality of life for older people with depression. Depression is the most common mental health problem in later life, affecting one in four older people yet it is often ignored. If depression is not identified and treated, it can lead to a life of misery. It can also cause other illnesses and, in extreme cases, can lead to suicide.

The charity will be helping older people to recognise the symptoms of depression and encouraging them to seek help. It will also be working with GPs to improve the diagnosis of older people with depression and ensure that effective treatments are available to all, regardless of age.

Poor health and problems such as money worries, losing a loved one, stress and events like moving into a care home can trigger depression. Recently bereaved older people are three times more likely than married older people to show signs of depression.

http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/Documents/depression_campaign_report_PR.pdf

Depression in Older People

The difficult changes that many elderly individuals face such as the death of a spouse or medical problems, can lead to depression especially in those without a strong support system. But depression is not a normal or necessary part of aging. In fact, most seniors are satisfied with their lives despite the challenges of growing old. Left alone, depression not only prevents older adults from enjoying life like they could be, it also takes a heavy toll on health
Link to this free guide for more information and tips on how to recognise depression in older people and how it is possible to help older people who may be depressed.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm

University of Iowa E-News: Pharmacological Treatment of Depression in Older Adults

The April, 2008 issue of the University of Iowa E-News from the Iowa Geriatric Education Centre is now available. This issue focuses on current literature about pharmacological treatment of depression in older adults.

For the current issue, and last year's past issues go to:
http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/igec/publications/e-news/archive.asp

Treating Depression in Older Adults

Snowden M, Steinman L, Frederick J. Treating depression in older adults: challenges to implementing the recommendations of an expert panel. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(1).

A special topic in the Preventing Chronic Disease, Public Health Research Practice and Policy series, this article shows the difficulties involved in translating research into practice. The authors describe real-world experiences in implementing evidence-based interventions in various community settings. Because depression among older people is viewed more and more as a public health problem, they suggest that partnerships of providers, patients, and policy makers be forged to overcome challenges related to funding, training, and implementing treatments for this condition.

http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jan/07_0154.htm