Learn

Depression is not a normal part of ageing, yet it affects nearly 50% of residents in aged care and presents frequently in General Practice. This webinar addresses appropriate therapeutic interventions and the complexity of diagnosing older patients, who often present with somatic complaints or memory concerns rather than sadness.Participants will learn to differentiate between depression, delirium, and dementia—the 'Three Ds'—using clinical history and evidence-based screening tools like the Geriatric Depression Scale and Confusion Assessment Method. The session further explores management strategies, including 'start low, go slow' prescribing principles, bio-psycho-social care planning, and when to refer to specialist services. The webinar concludes with an interactive Q&A session to discuss specific clinical challenges.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply appropriate evidence-based screening tools to assess mental state and cognition in older adults
2. Differentiate between the clinical features of depression, delirium, and dementia (the "Three Ds") to determine an accurate diagnosis
3. Formulate a comprehensive bio-psycho-social management plan for older patients.Post your questions into the ‘Comments’ field below and the presenters will do their best to answer these during the meeting.

Details