Almost two thirds of family members consider themselves depressed

1
Caring for Older Adults with Depression What
are the Experiences of Family Members? Marilyn
Luptak, PhD, MSW, College of Social Work,
University of Utah
METHODS
BACKGROUND
PRELIMINARY RESULTS

• Over 14 million older Americans are expected to
  have mental health problems in 2030 a 200
  increase since 2000.
• Depression is the most prevalent mental health
  problem among older adults.
• Little is known about the experiences of family
  members as they care for and care about an older
  relative with depression.

• Research Site The Masters Programa private,
  not-for-profit agency serving older adults with
  mental health problems in Salt Lake City, UT.
• Participants Competent community- dwelling
  older adults diagnosed with major depression and
  family members (up to five per family) involved
  in their care from the Salt Lake City area.
• Data Collection Record reviews of older
  adults records at The Masters Program,
  individual face-to-face interviews with family
  members using standardized measures a
  qualitative semi-structured interview guide, and
  field notes.

Emerging Themes

• Almost two thirds of family members consider
  themselves depressedcurrently or in the past.
• Almost all family members, including those from
  the same family, identify themselves as the
  family member providing the most support to their
  relative with depression.
• Almost two thirds of family members assess the
  overall functioning of their family as unhealthy.
  
• Family members have multiple concerns about
  mental health services for older adults with
  depression.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• What are the characteristics of families
  involved with older community-dwelling
  relatives with depression?
• How do family members recognize, understand
  respond to their older relatives depression?
• What needs surface what coping strategies
  decision making do family members employ to meet
  those needs?
• How does caring for an older relative with
  depression affect family functioning family
  relationships?
• How do family members view mental health
  services for older adults with depression?

Participant Characteristics

• Older Adults
• Female 75
• Caucasian 100
• Age 75 or older 75
• Education
• 12 yrs 25
• 13-16 yrs 75
• Marital Status
• Always Single 25
• Married 50
• Divorced 25
• Two or more mental
• health diagnoses

• Family Members
• Female 62.5
• Caucasian 100
• Relationship
• Spouse/Partner 25
• Child 50
• Sibling 25
• Education
• Less than 12 yrs 12.5
• 12 yrs 25
• 13-16 yrs 37.5
• More than 16 yrs 25

This research is funded by the John A. Hartford
Foundation Faculty Scholars Program, Administered
by the Gerontological Society of America