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Clinical depression affects 15% to 25% of nursing home residents and is associated with earlier mortality, but evidence is lacking to support interventions that might relieve or prevent depression in this setting. In two studies, investigators assessed the effects of particular interventions on prevalence of depression in nursing home residents.
In a study from the Netherlands, researchers implemented a structured multidisciplinary care program (structured screening and diagnosis; treatment by nurses, activity therapists, psychologists, and physicians; and monitoring of treatment effects) in 33 nursing home units (16 dementia units and 17 general units) with almost 800 residents (mean age, 80). Implementation led to a small but significant d…