Caring for depressed elderly in the emergency department: establishing links between sub-acute, primary, and community care.

Elderly patients presenting to St. Vincent's Health Emergency Department (ED) constitute approximately one third of presentations. A significant proportion of these involve preexisting conditions including depression that, within elderly patients, is associated with social isolation, physical and mental health problems, and barriers to accessing community services. It is also often overlooked as a clinical diagnosis among the elderly. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a brief depression screening tool and examine the change over time in quality of life and social factors for elderly patients who present to ED. Patients aged 65 years and over were screened for depression using a short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Participants were randomized into control (usual care) and intervention (an assertive outreach community management program) groups and assessed in relation to depression, quality of life, and social support/functioning at recruitment and 6 weeks post discharge. Approximately one in four participants experienced mild to moderate depression that was related to medical factors and associated reduced mobility. This study suggests that an assertive outreach program, with the inclusion of community intervention and links to social supports and services, could improve the management of depression in the elderly and associated health outcomes.