Nursing Care Plan for Elderly Patient with Depression

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Introduction
Depression is becoming extremely common across the Australian population (Chan,
Chan & Mok, 2010). Elderly patients with associated factors such a personal loss or physical
illnesses are more likely to experience depression. It has been estimated that between 10 and 15
percent of older people experience depression with 10% of people experiencing anxiety. In the
current case study, an 85-year-old man Mr. Peter Wilson is in the transitional care unit room and
is a first-time stroke survivor. His middle-aged children discuss their father's return from
rehabilitation therapy. They find out that a psychiatrist at the center, who had been called for
referral figured their father was suffering from depression. However, his daughter is unable to
realize the cause of depression of his father, as she states that he had lived a good life.
Evidence-based practice
A nursing care plan for the patient with depression, need to first determine the degree of
impairment and assess the ability to cope. Then the patient needs to be assisted to deal with the
current situation through the meeting of psychological needs and promotion of health and
wellness (Aylaz, Aktürk, Erci, Öztürk & Aslan, 2012). The functional consequence theory has
provided the primary guide to the analysis and comprehension of nursing care for this case. In
order to provide appropriate nursing interventions and support to the elderly patient, evidence-
based assessment tools need to be adapted. The evidence-based tool used was the Geriatric
Depression Scale. The scale includes a simple answering of questions to understand the level of
depression existing in the patient. This scale will take minimum time to be filled out and then the
condition of the patient can easily be understood.
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Moreover, a comprehensive mental health status examination (MSE) would be conducted
to understand the behavior, mental and overall condition of the patient (O'Connor, Whitlock, Beil
& Gaynes, 2009). An MSE is a tool that can reflect the overall mental health status of the patient.
Functional Consequences Theory
A nursing assessment of mental health for the patient needs to be conducted. The nursing
assessment will encompass a holistic approach that includes the individual, mind, body, and
spirit along with the whole person and the environment. Miller's (1990) Functional
Consequences Theory provides a framework for nursing assessment and managing care for the
elderly patient (Le Roux & Kemp, 2009). According to the theory, acute confusion has been
identified to be common complications amongst elderly hospitalization which impacts usage of
health care resources and the functional status amongst individuals. In order to cater to optimum
nursing care to the patient, the nurse needs to possess the capability to differentiate acute
confusion from other common conditions prevalent amongst elderly patients, such as depression.
Secondly, the nurse's ability to figure out the factor that contributes to the condition has to be
identified and applying of interventions such that impacts of various factors can be reduced on
the patient needs to be identified. The theory allows nurses to diagnose the risk factors that are
associated with the development of this condition.
Applying this model, the nursing model that has been identified is the Geriatric
Depression Scale, which diagnoses depression amongst elderly patients in hospitals. The scale
has 15 items that are used in the informant report (Schoenmakers, Buntinx & Delepeleire, 2010).
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