Older Adults and Depression

Older Adults and Depression

What different interventions might be beneficial when working with older adults who have depression? What research would you use and where would you find it?

Some of the different interventions that might be beneficial when working with older adults who have depression include enlisting family members as well as close friends to help out. This kind of intervention helps build a supportive network around the depressed individual. Another intervention would be psychosocial treatments, which have structured approaches. Examples include reminiscence therapy, interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and problem-solving therapy (Ashford et al., 2018). A third intervention that I would use is prescription antidepressants, which are, in many cases, highly effective for older adults battling depression. To learn more about depression in older adults and the best interventions, I would look for research organizations. Accordingly, I would explore the websites of organizations and institutes that focus on aging, mental health, and geriatrics. Some notable organizations include the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).

In what groups might you get them involved?

Participating in social and support groups can be highly beneficial for older adults with depression. Such groups provide a sense of community, reduce isolation, and offer opportunities for emotional support, coping strategies, and engagement (Ashford et al., 2018). As such, some of the groups that I would get them involved in include art and creative workshops, social clubs, depression support groups, exercise and fitness classes, volunteer groups, religious or spiritual groups, and online support communities.

What interventions would be beneficial? Are there other known prescription interventions that would be helpful?

One of the most beneficial interventions is psychosocial treatments because they do not necessarily require medication, and older adults prefer them. On the other hand, there are prescription interventions for older adults with depression, which typically involve the use of antidepressant medications. These interventions are often recommended in cases of moderate to severe depression or when psychotherapy alone is not sufficient (Ashford et al., 2018). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are often preferred for older adults due to their relatively favorable side effect profile. Examples include sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and citalopram (Celexa).

References

Ashford, J. B., LeCroy, C. W., & Williams, L. R. (2018). Human behavior in the social environment: A multidimensional perspective (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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Chapter 10
1. What different interventions might be beneficial when working with older adults who have depression? What research would you use and where would you find it?
2.In what groups might you get them involved?
3.What interventions would be beneficial? Is there other known prescription interventions that would be helpful?