DEPRESSION IN ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER

Abstract

Introduction: Depression in elderly people with advanced Alzheimer's is a topic of increasing relevance due to the complexity and significant impact of this condition on patients' quality of life. Advanced Alzheimer's is characterized by severe cognitive deterioration, where the individual progressively loses the ability to carry out daily activities and recognize themselves in the environment. When associated with depression, this condition can exacerbate Alzheimer's symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and social isolation, making management and treatment more challenging. Objective: To analyze the available evidence on the prevalence, symptoms and therapeutic approaches for depression in elderly people with advanced Alzheimer's, focusing on the implications for clinical practice and improving patients' quality of life. Methodology: The methodology was based on the PRISMA checklist, which guided the selection and analysis of included studies. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were searched, using the following descriptors: “depression in the elderly”, “advanced Alzheimer’s”, “affective disorders”, “advanced dementia” and “therapeutic interventions”. The inclusion criteria were: articles published in the last 10 years, studies focused on elderly people with advanced Alzheimer's and that presented data on the prevalence and treatment of depression. Articles that did not specifically address the interaction between depression and advanced Alzheimer's, studies outside the defined temporal scope and studies with samples that were not representative of the target population were excluded. Results: The studies reviewed indicated that depression is prevalent in older adults with advanced Alzheimer's and tends to worsen the symptoms of dementia, resulting in a more rapid deterioration in cognitive function and functional capacity. Interventions included pharmacological treatments, such as antidepressants, and psychosocial approaches, which showed some effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life. Conclusion: Depression in older adults with advanced Alzheimer's is a critical condition that requires an integrated approach to optimize treatment and improve quality of life. The combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments has shown promise, although effectiveness varies according to the individual patient profile.