Citation

Glogoski-Williams C. Occup. Ther. Ment. Health 2000; 15(2): 17-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J004v15n02_02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Depression is relatively common in late life often going unrecognized and undertreated. Symptoms of depression may erroneously be viewed as a normal consequence of aging and attributed to multiple medical problems. Depressive symptoms are insidious, taking the form of bodily complaints that become the primary focus of attention by health care providers. Failure to recognize and properly treat depression contributes to a poor quality of life and can have serious repercussions resulting in excess disability, deteriorating medical health status and higher than average suicide rates. Occupational therapists in all practice areas have a role to play in early recognition and screening for depression in older adults. Knowledge of risk factors is essential. Employing assessments to screen for depression, suicide and hopelessness are important in the routine evaluation of older adults and are described in this article. © 2000 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

aged; article; case report; depression; early diagnosis; elderly care; female; Geriatrics; human; human cell; human tissue; Mental health; Mood disorders; prevalence; quality of life; risk factor; Suicide; symptomatology