Treating The Elderly For Depression
To combat this vitamin deficiency, elderly individuals should be conscious of eating properly or supplementing with vitamins and minerals as part of prevention and treatment for depression.
There are many treatment choices that the depressed elderly person and their doctor can consider. Doctors should stay up to date on the latest information concerning depression and the elderly. One recent research revealed that elderly women with B-12 deficiency have twice the risk for depression as women who do not have this deficiency. This fact is difficult to determine which came first the deficiency or the depression as individuals who are depressed usually have poor eating habits which would mean that there dietary intake of needed vitamins and minerals would likely be deficient.
To combat this vitamin deficiency, elderly individuals should be conscious of eating properly or supplementing with vitamins and minerals as part of prevention and treatment for depression.
Another important treatment along with proper eating or supplements is quallity psychotherapy that includes individual counseling, support from family, friends, self-help groups, and senior activity programs. These measures address the mental aspect of depression and are an essential part of the treatment plan for depression.
Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment because it is a method for developing a trusting relationship between therapist and patient in a way that facilitates problem solving and allow the patient to return to normal mental and emotional functioning. Regularly scheduled appointments are made so that the psychiatrist and patient can discover the specific issues to be death with so that the depression can be overcome.
|
The study seems to conclude based on the data collected that intepersonal therapy alone does not have as much effect on the person 70 years of age or older as receiving paroxetine in combination with therapy.
The study also revealed that their hypothesis which was a prediction that interpersonal therapy would significantly reduce rates of recurrence, interpersonal therapy did not show to be as effective in individuals in the study (70 and older). It was surmised that perhaps this particular group of individuals (70 and older) would respond better to a more structured type of psychotherapy that would encompass cognitive impairment, problem solving and would also involve the caregivers who could add to the support during therapy.
Elderly Care
|
Elderly individuals who are opposed to taking medications for their depression should definitely make the most of their psychotherapy appointments which are usually 45 minutes in length and vary as to frequency depending on the severity of the depression. Psychotherapy is especially useful for those individuals in whom medication is counter- indicated due to severe reaction, or interactions with other medications that they need to be on. It is beneficial because it is especially good for sorting out functional and social consequences of depression for the elderly individual.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is another treatment option for the elderly individual who is depressed. ECT is usually done for not more than 3 times a week and is only used when medications or psychotherapy have been tried and not been effective in treating depression. ECT must be administered by a trained professional.
The most effective treatment is usually a combination of methods including medications, psychotherapy, and community support. Each treatment plan must be devised on an individual basis and will address all issues physical, mental and emotional that the patient is experiencing. Length of depression, severity and whether this is the first episode or not along with family history, personal history and other illnesses will be taken into consideration when a treatment plan is devised. The treatment plan is usually drawn up with the patient’s input and possibly other family members if they are caregivers.
Given the risk for suicide, it is vital that any elderly person considered to be at risk for depression be carefully watched and evaluated to ensure their safety and health.
Current Facts About Elderly Depression
09/07/2010
More birds dying in oil sands than first reported: study
A new report suggests more birds are dying in Alberta's tar sands than the government has let on. Researchers say that the actual death rate is between seven and 77 times higher than what the industry is reporting.
More birds dying in oil sands than first reported: study
09/07/2010
Dwight Howard provides dying woman with bucket of memories
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard fulfilled the wish of Kay Kellogg, who is dying of incurable and inoperable cancer, by visiting with her in her home.
Dwight Howard provides dying woman with bucket of memories
09/07/2010
Dwight Howard provides dying woman with bucket of memories
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard fulfilled the wish of Kay Kellogg, who is dying of incurable and inoperable cancer, by visiting with her in her home.
Dwight Howard provides dying woman with bucket of memories
09/08/2010
New prayer book opens a welcoming door to the Jewish High Holidays
The Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross began to contemplate death and dying as she interviewed Jewish children at a liberated Nazi concentration camp in 1945.
New prayer book opens a welcoming door to the Jewish High Holidays
09/06/2010
Rather than creating 'death panels,' new law adds to end-of-life options
About this time last year, voters and politicians were consumed by the rumor, fanned by health-care overhaul opponents, that the legislation would include "death panels" of government bureaucrats who could "pull the plug on Grandma" if she needed costly care. Law - Death Penalty - Crime and Justice - Capital punishment - Business
Rather than creating 'death panels,' new law adds to end-of-life options
| 