Depression and its negative effects on an older personBy 2045, the number of adults aged sixty and over will increase significantly compared to a person aged fifteen . age or younger (Touhy, Jett, Boscart, & McCleary, 2012). Therefore, a large percentage of people who will need medical care and support in the future will be older people. Currently, there are many health-related issues and conditions affecting older adults, and these will only continue to increase due to the increase in the number of older people. According to this student, one mental health issue that should be highlighted is the prevalence of depression among the elderly population. There is particular concern regarding this population with depression, particularly given the direct correlation between depressive states and chronic illness (Craven & Bland, 2013). For the purposes of this article, this student will define depression; explain how depression negatively affects an older person's physical health, and explain how a psychiatric nurse can help provide competent care that will help shed light on depression in hopes of managing it thereby, allowing an older person to live a more fulfilled life. is characterized as a mental health disorder in which a person may experience a variety of symptoms, including decreased energy, loss of motivation, loss of self-esteem, as well as decreased concentration or increased indecision ( Touhy et al., 2012). As a psychiatric nurse, it is essential to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with depression. Take for example a decrease in energy. When an older person begins to display a decrease in energy, he...... middle of paper ......4-563. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=11&sid=b6f654f4-e84c-4c04-bcf8-a4b720e031a0%40sessionmgr4001&hid=4204&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=pbh &AN=8 2106321Touhy, TA , Jett, K.F., Boscart, V. and McCleary, L. (2012). Ebersole and Hess Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging (1st ed.). Toronto, ON: Elsevier Canada. Wang, Y., Lin, F., Yu, C., Tzeng, Y., Liang, C., Chang, Y., ... Kao, S. (2012). Depression as a predictor of falls in institutionalized older adults. Aging and Mental Health, 16(6), 763-770. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=6&sid=543837b6-8e4b-4b00-a58b-a7a583e2f1bc%40sessionmgr110&hid=124&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=rzh&AN=20 11600190Witter Gas , B., Esson, L. and Ronaldson, SE (1999). Foundations of Nursing: A Canadian Perspective (2nd ed.). Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice Hall Canada Inc..