Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Older Adults, 3rd Edition

Course Description: Depression and anxiety can impact an older adult’s daily life in a distressing way. Diminishing occupational performance and satisfaction is evident when the older adult becomes physically unwell, expresses hopelessness, and demonstrates social isolation by separation from family, friends, and day-to-day tasks. The ultimate outcome of these disorders can be intentional or unintentional loss of life. Suicide rates in older adult Caucasian men are among the highest in the United States, largely as a result of the lethality of the method chosen (e.g., firearms; Conejero et al., 2018). These sad and alarming facts emphasize the need for occupational therapy practitioners and other healthcare professionals to be aware that the older adults they encounter in various healthcare, social, and other community venues may be significantly affected by behavioral health problems and issues.