The effectiveness of empirically-supported treatments for geriatric depression: An analysis using the evidence based practice model

Abstract

Older adults comprise an increasingly large percentage of the U.S. population (Howden & Meyer, 2011). They may suffer from a variety of physical and social impairments that contribute to the onset of depressive symptomology. While the APA has designated a specific set of empirically-supported treatments for depression, clinicians have few resources to help determine which, if any, of these treatments are most appropriate for their depressed geriatric client. Approaching APA’s list of empirically-supported treatment through the framework of the evidence-based practice model allows a thorough examination of the evidence and an evaluation of the current literature on treating geriatric depression.