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Mental Health/Psych
Mental Health Problems in the Older Adult
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Changes in cognitive ability, excessive forgetfulness, and mood swings | Are Not a part of normal aging |
Changes in mental status | May be related to alterations in diet and fluid and electrolyte balance, fever or low oxygen levels associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases |
Older Adults | Are less likely than younger people to acknowledge or seek treatment for mental health symptoms |
Signs of depression | Feelings of sadness, fatigue, diminished memory and concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances with excessive weight loss or gain, restlessness, impaired attention span and suicidal ideation |
Mild depression with symptoms | Do not always meet the criteria for major depression; common and reduces quality of life and function |
The risk of suicide | Increased in older adults, approximately 84% of suicides carried out by white men |
Geriatric depression | May be confused with dementia |
When depression and medical illnesses coexist | Neglect of the depression can impede physical recovery |
A commonly used assessment tool | Geriatric Depression Scale |
For mild depression | nonpharmacologic measures such as exercise, bright lighting, increasing interpersonal interactions, cognitive therapy and reminiscence therapy are effective |
For major depression | Antidepressants and short-term psychotherapy, particularly in combination, are effective in older adults |
Atypical antidepressants | bupropion, venlafaxine, mirtazapine, and nefazadone |
SSRIs | paroxetine |
Delirium | Begins with confusion and progresses to disorientation. It is common and life-threatening complication for the hospitalized older adult and the most frequent complication of hospitalization |