Assessment and Symptoms of Home Care Patients With Depression

Presented by Kim Bennett Murray and Nate Murray

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Video Runtime: 19 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 21 Minutes

This course will help the home care clinician identify signs of depression in a patient’s environment and in their physical and emotional responses to life stresses. It will give diagnostic strategies so the clinician is prepared to learn more about how someone is coping and provide resources so people can get the critical help they need.

Meet your instructors

Kim Bennett Murray

Kim Bennett Murray is the director of social work at Harbor House, a Bane Care skilled nursing and rehab facility in Hingham, Massachusetts. Prior to that, she served as the director of clinical and client services at the Visiting Angels of the South Shore, a private duty home care agency, for 17 years. Receiving her degree…

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Nate Murray

Nate Murray is president and managing partner of Visiting Angels of the South Shore, a private geriatric home care practice serving the South Boston metro area. Since completing his graduate work in 1980 at Columbia University in New York, he has held numerous clinical appointments, including director of social work and…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Assessment of Patients With Possible Mood and Behavioral Disorders

1. Assessment of Patients With Possible Mood and Behavioral Disorders

It is important to start with the clinical definition of depression so that any clinical biases or cultural ideas are set aside. Making personal assumptions can prevent a clinician from really understanding where the patient is coming from. Statistical prevalence and diagnostic strategies discussed in this chapter will help you prepare to assess your patient.

The Importance of Paying Attention to Environmental Clues in the Home Setting

2. The Importance of Paying Attention to Environmental Clues in the Home Setting

Clinicians have an opportunity for a bird’s-eye view into the emotional functioning of their patients when providing care in the home. The setup of the home and the access to needed community support are clues to how patients are functioning and their mental health status. This chapter teaches you what to look for and how to use the Beck Depression Scale.

Not Every Sad Person Is Depressed

3. Not Every Sad Person Is Depressed

There is a clinical difference between sadness and depression that is important for clinicians to be aware of while helping their patients cope with loss. This chapter will help you gather resources and tools to arm yourself with options for supporting your patients and helping them feel better about their lives and current situations by giving them hope.