Depressive symptoms in older adults residing in long-term care facilities
Keywords:
Elderly, Depression, Senility, AgingAbstract
Objective: To identify how depressive symptoms manifest in older adults institutionalized in long-term care homes. Method: This is an integrative review, the data collection was obtained between the months of August and October 2023. The search for studies consists of the search for scientific articles published in the last ten years (2013-2023), being focused on the guiding question, published in the Portuguese language, and indexed in the following databases: Google Scholar, VHL (Virtual Health Library) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The descriptors used in the search were: Aged; Depression; Senility; Aging. Results: A total of 3,390 papers were found, and after screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 65 publications were selected, which were submitted to an exploratory reading, which is characterized by being a rushed reading, aiming to evidence if the text met the proposed objective, this moment resulted in the exclusion of 35 (thirty-five) papers. Of this amount, 17 (seventeen) articles were excluded because they did not correspond to the theme, so 7 (seven) were repeated on the data page. Thus, as the final sample of the study, we obtained 6 (six) articles. Conclusion: The varied and often subtle symptoms of depression can go unnoticed, making it crucial to sensitize health professionals and caregivers to recognize and treat these signs early. Promoting a welcoming, nurturing, and socially engaged environment within LTCFs can play a significant role in preventing depression in older adults. Therapeutic intervention, which can include psychotherapy, emotional support, and, in some cases, medication, is key to improving the quality of life for older adults suffering from depression.
