How to identify an older person who may have depression.

Abstract

Rationale and key points: Depression is the most common mental health condition in older age but often goes undetected and untreated, which can negatively affect health, well-being and quality of life. This article highlights how nurses can improve the identification of depression in older people, including by being aware of risk factors and signs and symptoms; by using proactive questioning and an individualised approach; and by encouraging older people who may have depression to discuss their mental health as part of a person-centred assessment. • Older people are highly susceptible to many of the physical and psychosocial risk factors associated with depression. • In older people, symptoms of depression can be wrongly attributed to dementia or considered a normal part of ageing. • Older people with depression may not recognise it or be reluctant to discuss it for fear of being stigmatised. • Improving the identification of depression in older people requires challenging assumptions about their mental health. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when identifying an older person who may have depression. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about identifying an older person who may have depression.