Treatment - Family
 |
Treatment of choice when family system is very much effected by the elder’s depression, emotionally or physically, often times used in conjunction with other treatment modalities. | |
|
Depressed elderly most likely cannot be treated in isolation. | |
|
Older clients do not as a rule resist family involvement in treatment. | |
|
Family needs education about how to deal with or communicate with the depressed family member. | |
|
Family therapy gives the opportunity to address family conflicts within a safe and therapeutic setting that may have precipitated the depression or impede treatment or recovery. | |
|
The therapist gathers information, assesses the family dynamics (how members relate to each other), determines the nature and severity of stress, burden on, and satisfaction of caregivers, and educates the family about the patient (depression) and the treatment plan. | |
|
Through identifying, discussing, analyzing, expressing feelings, trying different ways to relate, etc. the therapist can facilitate a healthy, less conflicted environment. Family involvement should be included in the treatment costs when treating elderly depressed patients. If formal family therapy is required, most cost is self pay, some insurance will cover if treatment is time limited and necessary, when other treatments are not effective. |
