Guest Editorial
Importance of Interdisciplinary Perspective in Recognizing and Treating Depression

Research in Gerontological Nursing  Vol. 3 No. 3 July 2010

By Linda L. Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS

EXCERPT

Depression in older people is an important clinical and public health problem that is commonly overlooked by health care providers. As people age, social support systems may be lost due to the death of significant others, retirement, cognitive and physical health problems, and residence relocation. With these changing circumstances, health care professionals expect older clients to show changing activity levels and reduced resilience and may miss the symptoms of depression. As a result, many older people find themselves having to manage a set of problems that could otherwise be easily treated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda L. Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS is Professor Recreation Therapy and Gerontology School of Health and Human Performance University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina

The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.

doi:10.3928/19404921-20100601-03