PATIENT SCENARIO

Patient Scenario



Patient Scenario

The difficult changes that you may face as you grow older—such as the death of a spouse or medical problems—can lead to depression, especially if you don't have a strong support system. Left untreated, depression prevents you from enjoying life like you used to. And its effects go far beyond mood.

Depression not only makes you feel sick—with aches, pains, and fatigue—it actually makes physical health worse. Depression also gets in the way of memory and concentration. In fact, it can have such an impact on thinking that it's sometimes mistaken for dementia. But depression is not a normal or necessary part of aging, and it can be successfully treated. You can feel better and enjoy your golden years once again, no matter what challenges you face.

There are few risk factors for depression, as anyone can experience depression if the circumstances are right. Women are more likely to be depressed than men, and depression can sometimes run in families. People who come from disruptive or abusive homes or have experienced abuse in their past are more likely to become depressed. People who have experienced a severe depression once are more likely to experience it again.

Robinson is a 76-year-old female living in Moncton, New Brunswick. She resides in her own 2-storey house where she enjoys listening to the radio and the occasional record and tending to her African violets. She was never married, nor did she have any children. She attended one year of college, after which she obtained employment as a secretary in a lawyer's office, a job which she held for 40 years and retired from when she was 67. Her family of origin consists of an older brother, who was killed during World War II, and an older sister (80 years old) who resides in a nearby nursing home and whom she visits occasionally. Her native language is French and she usually interacts within the francophone community extensively. She uses her own car for occasional trips but has expressed concern lately about getting lost when she drives outside of her neighborhood.

 

Medical Information

Robinson has always been a highly anxious person; she has a history of benzodiazepine use, and she has a history of psychiatric admissions for depression and anxiety. She has been experiencing increased anxiety following a diagnosis of skin cancer 7 months ago. She has asthma and uses Ventolin, and she frequently calls her family physician regarding her asthma attacks.

Robinson has been attending an Adult Day Program attached to a seniors' Centre twice a week. She has had several falls over the last 6 months and fractured a rib during her last fall incident. Currently, she receives nursing service from Home Care once a week to monitor her medications. She has been visiting her sister once a week in a nearby nursing home, but the frequency of her visits has fallen off over the past few months. Mlle. LeBlanc has a mild bilateral cataract problem and has bilateral hearing aids for ...