| Depression is not a normal part of aging, but it is a serious, growing problem for the elderly population of the United States; where the potential catastrophic effects of the disease could result in suicide. Depression in late life has been identified by the National Institute of Health, as a major health issue as early as 1991, and the problem persists in part because of inadequate identification and treatment (Mort, Remund & Bradley, 2012). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016, depression is one of the most debilitating and crippling conditions in the United States; globally; more than 350 million people suffer from depression ("Depression fact sheet", 2016). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also estimated that seven million Americans, aged 65 and older are affected by depression. By 2029, twenty percent of the United States population will be age 65 and older (Colby & Ortman, 2014). Even with these alarming figures; and deadly consequences, the elderly are not routinely screened for depression risk in many healthcare settings due to the misconception that it is a normal part of aging, or lack of knowledge and confidence in screening and management of depression. The purpose of this study is to provide an educational intervention to improve the knowledge and confidence of nurses in the screening and management of geriatric depression and to address the misconception that depression is a normal part of aging. |
