• Introduction
• Module 1: Substance Abuse in Older Adults
• Module 2: Supervision Specific to Older Adults
• Module 3: Depression in Older Adults
  • Overview
  • Video
  • Lecture Notes
  • Classroom Learning Activities
  • Written Assignments
  • References
  • Evaluation
• Module 4: Caregiving for Older Adults
• Acknowledgements

Module 3: Depression in Older Adults > Overview

Daniel Gardner, PhD, LCSW and Tazuko Shibusawa, PhD, LCSW

Depression in late life is a significant public health concern. Often thought to be a "natural" part of aging, depression is often overlooked or misdiagnosed in older adults, and is therefore often untreated. It is essential that clinical social workers know how to assess for, diagnose and treat geriatric depression, in order to address this problem.

Learning Objectives

• Understand depression in later life, including prevalence, etiology, signs and clinical symptoms, and common co-morbidities .
• Identify risk factors for suicide.
• Know how to conduct assessment and make differential diagnosis of depression using diagnostic tools, interview and observation.
• Design and implement appropriate service plan to assist depressed older adult.
• Intervene with adult and family members when appropriate to reduce depression and access appropriate resources (i.e. medical and psychiatric care).

© 2008 Silver School of Social Work

Permission is granted to reproduce these materials for educational use. Commercial reproduction is forbidden without written permission from the authors.