MEDizzy - The nurse is performing a depression screening at the site

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Psychosocial Integrity

The nurse is performing a depression screening at the site of a senior citizen meal program. What is an appropriate response from the nurse when a meal worker asks why depression in older adults is often undiagnosed and untreated?

ExplanationDepression can have an onset at any age, but is seen as normal in older adult clients related to the multiple losses associated with aging. Older adults express sadness just as at any other age, but may need to be asked. Older adults are in the health care system more often than younger ages as chronic illness develops.