Many newly admitted nursing home residents with an active diagnosis of depression are untreated, potentially missing an important window to improve symptoms, according to a recent study. The extent of comorbid cognitive impairment and depression and lack of treatment suggest opportunities for improved quality of care in this increasingly important healthcare setting. Researchers identified 1,088,619 newly admitted older residents between 2011 and 2013 with an active diagnosis of depression. The prevalence of receiving psychiatric treatment was estimated by cognitive impairment status and depression symptoms. They found:

• 26% of newly admitted residents had depression; 47% of these residents also had cognitive impairment.
• Of those who had staff assessments of depression, anhedonia, impaired concentration, psychomotor disturbances, and irritability were more commonly experienced by residents with cognitive impairment than residents without cognitive impairment.
• 48% of all residents with depression did not receive any psychiatric treatment.
• Residents with severe cognitive impairment were less likely than those with intact cognition to receive psychiatric treatment.