The Cache County Study on Memory in Aging, funded by the National Institute on Aging, studied longitudinal changes in memory and aging over 12 years’ follow-up in a population-based sample of 5,092 older adults in semirural Cache County, UT. Among the extensive interview procedures, researchers collected information regarding the participants’ demographics, health, genetic factors, diet, physical activity, and cognitive abilities. This study has allowed researchers to investigate how genetic and modifiable lifestyle factors interact to predict health, cognitive function, and psychological wellbeing in older adults. Diet and exercise are important lifestyle factors in maintaining cognitive health and psychological wellbeing throughout the lifespan, including late-life. The current investigation primarily focused on the link between these lifestyle factors and specific genes in predicting cognitive decline and risk for depression among older adults. Older adults are at risk for cognitive and mood changes as they age and certain genes may increase their vulnerability to these changes. However, it is possible that an older adult’s lifestyle behaviors regarding dietary pattern and physical activity may be protective against such genetic vulnerabilities. The genes investigated in this study are related to the production of a protein in the brain that promotes cell growth and survival. A better understanding of the relationship between lifestyle and genetic factors in late-life cognitive decline and depression may offer a better conceptualization of healthy aging and lead to more targeted diet and exercise recommendations. The present study found that engagement in moderate-vigorous physical activity was associated with slower cognitive decline whereas vigorous physical activity was associated with reduced risk for depression. Further, a specific gene was related to worse cognitive functioning among sedentary individuals. Alternatively, greater adherence to the dietary pattern investigated in our study did not reduce risk for depression and was beneficial for cognition in males only.

Bakgrund: Depressioner hos äldre kan vara svårupptäckta till följd av en diffus symtombild samt då diagnossystemen DSM-5 och ICD-11 inte är anpassade för äldre. Många sjuksköterskor har svårigheter i att korrekt identifiera depressioner hos äldre personer. Mer kunskap och förståelse kring depressiva tillstånd hos äldre kan underlätta för psykiatrisjuksköterskor och andra specialistsjuksköterskor att identifiera dessa tillstånd samt leda till en förbättrad psykiatrisk omvårdnad av äldre personer. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa äldre personers erfarenheter av depressiva tillstånd i ålderdomen. Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie baserad på nio kvalitativa studier genomfördes med Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärderings [SBU] metod som grundstruktur. Syntes av de kvalitativa studiernas resultat genomfördes enligt Howell Major och Savin-Baden. Resultat: Två tredje nivåns tema framkom: Det första tredje nivåns temat Att befinna sig på botten speglade den psykiska och existentiella förtvivlan de äldre befann sig i; en situation präglad av orkeslöshet, hopplöshet, självnedvärdering, skuld, skam, stigma, brist på stöd, ensamhet och alienation. Det andra tredje nivåns temat Att ta sig uppåt genom coping och andras stöd återgav de copingstrategier de äldre upplevde hjälpsamma samt betydelsen av andra människors stöd. Slutsats: Äldre personer som lider av depressiva tillstånd i ålderdomen bär erfarenheter av djup förtvivlan ur flera hänseenden och finner kraft i copingstrategier och stöd från andra. Nyckelord: depressiva tillstånd, erfarenheter, psykiatrisk omvårdnad, systematisk litteraturstudie, äldre / Background: Depressions in the elderly can be difficult to detect due to a diffuse symptomatology and because the diagnostic manuals DSM-5 and ICD-11 are not adapted for the elderly. Many nurses have difficulties in correctly identifying depressions in older people. More knowledge and understanding of depressive conditions in the elderly may facilitate for psychiatric-mental health nurses and other advanced practice nurses to identify these conditions and may conduce to an improved psychiatric-mental health nursing care for the elderly. Aim: To shed light on elderly persons’ experiences of depressive conditions in old age. Method: A systematic literature review based on nine qualitative studies was conducted, using Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services [SBU] as basic structure. Synthesis of the qualitative studies was carried out according to Howell Major and Savin-Baden. Result: Two third order themes emerged: The first third order theme, Being at rock bottom, reflected the existential and mental despair the elderly was in; a situation characterized by decrepitude, hopelessness, self-deprecating, guilt, shame, stigma, lack of support, loneliness and alienation. The second third order theme, Moving forward through coping and support from others, portrayed the coping strategies the elderly experienced as helpful and the importance of support from others. Conclusion: Elderly persons suffering from depressive conditions in old age experience different aspects of despair and find their path forward through coping strategies and support from others. Keywords: depressive conditions, elderly, experiences, psychiatric-mental health nursing, systematic literature review