A study on the awareness of nurses regarding depression among the elderly
Keywords:
Depression;, Treatment, Elderly, Old ageAbstract
This paper investigates key factors in the treatment of depression
among the elderly. Depression is a frequent mental illness in this
age group and intensely affects its quality of life. This population is
more prone to depression due to the reduction of social perspectives;
declining health; frequent losses; and biological, vascular, structural
and functional changes, in addition to neuroendocrine and neurochemical
disorders that occur during aging. There are 30 available
antidepressants. Several studies have shown that the adherence to
a regular exercise program can significantly improve the cognitive
performance of the elderly, increasing their self‑esteem, mood and
sense of well‑being, while promoting the reduction of physiological
stress and positive effects in terms of body image, thus reducing the
level of anxiety and depression. The methodology employed was an
exploratory field study with a quantitative approach. The data collection
instrument was applied in 26 family health programs (PSFs)
in the city of Valparaiso de Goiás to 26 nurses working with primary
care in the municipality. In the collected data, most of them are between
20 and 30 years old, female and single with a college degree.
It was also found that monitoring the family and exercise are of great
importance for the treatment of depression among the elderly. The
study concludes that depression deserves full attention and care at any
age, but, in addition to the sick elder’s own effort, it is also necessary
to count with the attention of the persons involved in his or her life.
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CONFLITOS DE INTERESSES
Não há conflitos de interesse
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