Depression is a serious life threatening illness, which without question increases the risk of mortality in elderly patients and is linked with increased mortality of residents in nursing and assisted living homes, along with other long-term care facilities.
Studies reveal that the presence of major depression during admission to a nursing home facility more than doubles the likelihood of death one year later independently of other health conditions.
Additionally, a growing body of evidence shows that depression adversely affects the course of other illnessess common to the elderly such as: diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Read the complete article here!
Elayne Forgie has been a professional geriatric care manager for over 20 years and was a founding Board Member of the Florida Geriatric Care Managers Association. She is the President/CEO of ElderCare at Home, Inc. and The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center. Information on this website or contained in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.
