Using guided imagery to combat postsurgical depression

1. Guided Imagery is an independent nursing intervention that has been used successfully in older adults to decrease the stress associated with illness and hospitalization. 2. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the elderly. It is related to feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and sensory deprivation. 3. Discharge teaching that is individualized, realistic, and age-related is the most effective with older adults. 4. The results of this study indicate that discharge teaching using guided imagery has the potential to decrease depression in older adults after discharge from the hospital.