A community mental health nurse plans an educational program for staff members at a home health agency that specializes in the care of older adults. A topic of high priority should be:

A) identifying depression in older adults.
B) providing cost-effective foot care for older adults.
C) identifying nutritional deficiencies in older adults.
D) psychosocial stimulation for those who live alone.

Depression is the most common, most debilitating, and also most treatable psychiatric disorder in the older adult. Home health staff are often better versed in the physical aspects of care and less knowledgeable about mental health topics. Statistics show that older adult patients with mental health problems are less likely than young adults to be diagnosed accurately. This is especially true for those with depression and anxiety, both of which are likely to be misinterpreted as normal aging. Undiagnosed and untreated depression and anxiety result in unnecessary suffering. The other options are of lesser importance.