Depression in the nursing home: a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge study to probe the effectiveness of a novel case management approach to improve treatment (the DAVOS project)

Abstract Background Depression is the second most common psychiatric illness in old people. Up to 30% of nursing home residents suffer from minor or major depression. Although depressive disorders in old age can be improved and even cured with adequate therapy, they often go unnoticed in nursing home residents and remain untreated. This highlights a striking deficit in health care and might results not only in lower quality of life among those concerned but also in poor physical functioning, premature mortality and increased hospitalization rates. Methods The aim of the interdisciplinary research project DAVOS is to implement an innovative and stepped structural case management program to i…