|
24 February 2004
DEPRESSION IN OLDER PEOPLE
BEST PRACTICE STATEMENT LAUNCHED EASTWOOD COURT CARE HOME, EASTWOODMAINS ROAD, GIFFNOCK
2.30PM TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2004
Depression can affect 40% of the older population living in care homes or hospital continuing care wards and can have a devastating effect. Nurses and care workers having an increasingly important role to play in preventing it and detecting it in its early stages where it occurs.
The Gerontological Nursing Demonstration Project based at Glasgow Caledonian University has developed a best practice statement which includes research evidence, user views and expert nursing opinion in this area. The older people of Eastwood Court have also been involved in the project piloted in their own care home going on-line to give their own feelings about the care they receive. This is the first time a national guideline for all gerontological nurses has been demonstrated in a care home from the independent sector.
Nurses throughout Scotland have contributed to the completion of the best practice statement using a Virtual Practice Development College. At present 60 link nurses from all areas of Scotland utilise the innovative system where they chat with colleagues from as far apart as Shetland and the Borders via the internet.
Professor Debbie Tolson from Glasgow Caledonian University said: -
The best practice statement has been developed to demonstrate how nurses can begin to work with older people and their families at times of critical change to provide support and to ensure the normal responses to loss and grief do not develop into clinical depression.
Depression can be prevented with good support from nurses, families and friends and is very treatable when detected in its early stages. Specific measures to assess educate and work with older people who may be at risk of developing depression are presented within the best practice statement.
The Statement has been developed with funding provided by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, The Queens Nursing Institute, Scotland and Ashbourne Homes.
Rhona Hotchkiss Interim Director, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, continued: -
The purpose of developing national Best Practice Statements is to guide practice and promote a consistent and cohesive approach to the care of older people in the NHS or independent sector. They are based on the most up to date evidence available.
Back to Latest News
|
