Evaluation Of A Long Term Care Facility - 1462 Words

Admission into a long-term care facility can be a very difficult transition that may trigger or exacerbate depression symptoms in the elderly, resulting in decreased quality of life and increased risk of hospitalization (Miu Chan, 2010). Hoover et al. (2010) states that up to 54.4% of nursing home residents suffer from depression; however, screening of depression upon admission to long-term care is not currently mandated. The purpose of this change project is to implement policy to make depression screening a part of the admission process of long-term care residents. Review of Literature Hoover et al. (2010) examined the prevalence of the diagnosis of depression of long-term care residents upon admission and new depression diagnosis†¦show more content†¦This study concluded that depression during the first year of residence in a nursing home has risen from 42% in 1999 to 54% in 2005 and found those who were admitted from another facility were more likely to be diagnosed wi th depression (Hoover et al., 2010). A study in Slovakia, by Kabà ¡tovà ¡, Urà ­Ã„ kovà ¡, and Botà ­kovà ¡ (2014), studied the prevalence of depression in long-term care residents, to determine the risk factors linked to depression, and the influence of risk factors on the extent of the depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The sample consisted of 84 long-term care residents age 65 or older with the exclusion criteria of those with an existing diagnosis of depression and those who had antidepressant treatment. Other data collection tools used were the Folstien s Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, and a 5-point numerical scale for pain assessment, additionally, each resident was screened for marital status. Data was collected over a one month time period in 3 different long-term care facilities. This study concluded that 60.7% of the sample group suffered from depression, with 32.1% being mildly depressed, and 2 8.6% being severely depressed. The conclusion of this study showed that the coloration between marital status a diagnosis of depression was statistically significant, with widows having the highest rate of depression. Pain was also