| | Addressing depression is a prerequisite to effective patient engagement and is associated with reduced hospitalization. Depression affects between 14 to 46 percent of the homebound elderly. It contributes to increased medical and functional disabilities and increased risk for falls. In addition, depression can have a negative effect on dementia symptoms--and conversely, dementia symptoms can be helped by treating depression (Qiu, et al., 2010). Using the VNAA Blueprint tools and resources available below for effective, consistent processes in depression screening for home health patients can enhance health outcomes, advance patient engagement and self-management and reduce hospitalizations. How to use these resources: Start with the training program, Depression: VNAA Best Practice for Home Health, which offers an overview of resources available through the Depression Screening best practice topic area.
The training program learning objectives are as follows:
- Discuss two reasons why depression should be identified and treated.
- Discuss two critical interventions for patients with depression.
- Discuss two tools used to screen for depression and the appropriate age(s) for the screening.
Then explore the resources, critical interventions and measurement and evaluation tools by clicking on the boxes above.
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