Seven Recommended Approaches when Interacting with a Resident Who May be Depressed
- Recognize symptoms – The older adult population typically does not admit to feelings of depression. Importantly, many are from an era when people didn’t complain about tough times or negative feelings. Be alert to changes in appearance and behavior, not just relying on what the resident is saying.
- Attention – show interest, try to learn about person’s past interests and accomplishments; build rapport through relationship building and genuine caring and concern; acknowledge all efforts at independence and self-care. In addition, acknowledge when a resident is doing better or improving his current situation. A Life Review approach involves reviewing past successes and failures, pointing out how setbacks and disappointments in the past were dealt with, and encourage use of the same resourcefulness in facing today’s challenges.
- Reassurance – offer reassurance about health and physical changes. However, be sure to avoid creating false hopes. Instead, offer reassuring, optimistic thinking about adjusting to recent changes.
- Gentle push – Sometimes, older adults who are depressed often have trouble with decision making and initiating activities. “Kind firmness” is an attempt to provide direction, suggestions, encouragement and even help with making decisions. These can be helpful as long as the efforts are not forceful. Invite the resident into an activity or try arranging seating around the resident.
- Empowerment – This is important. Help the individual retain as much control and mastery over his or her environment as possible. For example, supporting decisions about choice of activity, contacts with others, or even style of dress rewards self-directed activity.
A Word of Caution
- Word of caution: respect the person’s defenses and the ways he or she is coping with the stresses, fears and anxieties in his/her life. Defenses may be fragile or weak, and if these are taken away without working through the distress, there may be no means available to manage it.
- Rule out and treat physical causes – some symptoms of depression may be the result of medical problems, medication, hormonal problem or nutritional deficiency. Some
depressive conditions may accompany physical conditions, and these should be considered as the potential cause of the depression. Be sure to make a referral to a qualified health care professional for assessment and treatment when necessary.
These are general guidelines, and not always be appropriate for all individuals. Judgement and sensitivity are always vital.
This article is referenced in the Living to 100 Club’s new publication, Better, Longer & Happier: A Guide to Aging with Purpose and Positivity.