Depression: An LTC Epidemic
Depression Affects 6 million Americans age 65 and older and is the 4th leading cause of disability (World Health Organization). Depression is a major health concern among geriatric patients:
- 1-5% - Suffer from major depression
- 7-23% - Suffer from Mild depression
- Higher rates found in women than men
- 40% of hospitalized geriatric patients suffer from depression
- 8-15% of patients experience depression without diagnosis
- 14% of geriatric patiens have depression that lasts longer than a 6 month period
- 20% of geriatric patients suffer from chronic dysphoria (sad, irritable mood) associated with increased medical illness, pain, self-care deficits
Geriatric patients suffering from depression can strain the operating budgets of many Long Term Care facilities. According to data from the 1993 Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old Study, national survey of people age 70 years or older (N = 6649)
- $9 billion/year – cost to society in caring for depressed seniors in America
- 44% of survey respondents reported one to three depressive symptoms
- 18% of survey respondents reported four to eight depressive symptoms
Breakdown of care giving in hours:
- 2.9 h/wk of informal care to respondents with no depressive symptoms
- 4.3 h/wk of informal care to respondents with one to three depressive symptoms
- 6.0 h/wk of informal care to respondents with four to eight depressive symptoms
Side Effects & Problems from Antidepressants
- Produce toxic metabolites
- Cognitive impairment (memory loss, confusion)
- Loss of balance (risk for falls)
- Hyponatremia (low sodium - risk for SIADH)
- Weight changes
- Sexual dysfunction
- Drug interactions
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Sedation
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Insomnia
- Anxiety & Depression