Journal of Advanced Practices in Nursing

The Evidences Based Protocol of Depression in the Elderly People

Abstract

YaLie K

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop the evidences-based protocol for depression in the elderly people.
Study Design: Integrated literature review.
Methodology: Integrated literature review in the systems of Chinese CEPS, Cinahl, Cochrone Library systems by the three keywords of depression, elderly, and evidences-based nursing.
Findings: The evidences-based protocol of depression in the elderly people was developed based on the validate literature that could be tested in the future for the elders who have or have not dementia. For those who do not have dementia, the protocol could screen the elders who were pseudo or truly dementia. For those who do have dementia, the protocol could go for the specific Comell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) for dementia elders. The pharmacological interventions were for the major depression elders; for instance, TCAs and SSRIs were applied in the acute stage, while, duloxetine, and alternative treatment as GMDZ were used in the relapse and maintaining stages. Additionally, the non-pharmacological interventions including the exercises, yoga, physical touch, music, art, horticultural, reminiscence, cognitive and psychotherapy therapies were suggested for the moderate and minor depression elders. The core nursing care issue for the major depression elders was the safety, for the moderate depression elders was autonomy, for the minor depression elders was the community and home care.
Conclusion: The evidences-based protocol of depression in the elderly people could provide the healthcare professionals in the long-term care facilities as the reference to care those who have or have not dementia.