Older Adults: The Risk of Depression Increases With Age

PICO:“If older adults’ suffering from depression participates in cognitive Behavioral Therapy will they experience a reduction in depressive symptoms versus only receiving medication management?”

Research Question or Hypothesis

Older adults are a growing population and currently make up over 13% of today’s population. “Unfortunately, Depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 years or older” (Duckworth K., 2009). Depression in older persons is directly correlated with disability (Duckworth K., 2009). “The risk of depression increases with age so that 40% of those over 85 are affected” (Duckworth K., 2009). “Depression is a major health problem that affects many older people, causing significant distress and disability, exacerbating existing medical conditions, and resulting in earlier death and higher use of services” (Frazer, Christensen, & Griffith ,2005 ). Depression in older adults differs from younger adults by a different symptoms and bio-psycho-social factors. “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest” ( Mayo Clinic, 2014 ). “Different forms of depression vary from, major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Depression makes it difficult to engage in normal daily chores or activities. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depressed mood and lack of interest are the two core symptoms in late life.

Depression in older adults directly correlates with the onset of chronic illness such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, hypert...

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...K. M. (2005). Effectiveness of treatments for depression in older people. Med J Aust, 182(12), 627-32.

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Omidi, A., Mohammadkhani, P., Mohammadi, A., & Zargar, F. (2013). Comparing mindfulness based cognitive therapy and traditional cognitive behavior therapy with treatments as usual on reduction of major depressive disorder symptoms. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 15(2), 142.

Mayo Clinic Staff (2014). Depression: Major Depressive Disorder Definition retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977