[Collaborative and home based treatment for older adults with depression: a review of the literature].

BACKGROUND

Due to the demographic development depressive disorders in old age are becoming a central and urgent healthcare challenge.

OBJECTIVES

The article reviews effective approaches towards treatment of depression in the elderly.

METHODS

A literature review of complex interventions improving depression care was carried out.

RESULTS

Robust evidence exists for the use of collaborative care models which incorporate collaboration between mental health and medical providers in the primary care setting (e.g. general practitioners and specialists), regular monitoring, case management, and evidence-based treatment. Staged treatment approaches seem to be appropriate by which initially use treatment strategies of low intensity. For patients with limited mobility, home-based approaches have proven to be particularly practical and effective.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary and multimodal treatment approaches represent an effective and efficient way of healthcare provision for late life depression. In Germany, only few initiatives inspired by successful international models have so far been identified.