Depression & stroke. Improving patient outcomes with a team approach.

Stroke is a significant diagnosis for referral to home care services, and depression is a common co-occurring disorder. Depression can lead to loss of motivation or hopelessness about recovery, which poses barriers to accomplishing treatment goals. When skilled nurses or physical therapists identify depression in stroke patients, they can include the expertise of the psychiatric home care nurse to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment plan to achieve successful outcomes.