It is estimated that the incidence of depression in older adults living in long term care facilities can be as high as 50% (Ellen, 2001; Tueth, 1994) and is the most common mood disorder of late life (Butler & Lewis, 1995). Depression often goes undiagnosed and therefore untreated (Devanand et al., 1994; Teresi et al., 2001). Diagnosing depression in this group is often difficult as older persons may exhibit non-specific somatic complaints rather than DSM-IV classified symptoms of depressed mood (Gallo & Rabins, 1999; Waintraub, 1998). Minor depression often becomes a chronic illness in this group but is not a part of normal aging (Lammer & Ham, 1997). Depression may be assocated with side effects of medications or compounded by medical conditions such as a cerebral vascular accident, Parkinson’s or heart diseases. Read full article here.
Healing Rides
Healing Rides
