Chapter 10: Mental Health and Illness in Older Adults Flashcards
What is the World Average life overall life expectancy?
66.57
What is the Canadian overall life expectancy?
81.33
As you get older, what does acquired knowledge and years of experience allow them to develop?
WISDOM!
What are 3 important things that grandparents play in families?
- provide children with non-judgemental love and acceptance
- give children feelings of safety, security, and self-esteem
- provide support to parents
According the the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, what does 3/4 of the older population describe their health as depsite having a significant disability?
very good or pretty good
Why could older adults report having very good or pretty good health despite having a disability?
older people have tendency to minimize complaints about poor health
close to half of adults 65+ report some degree of disability and many do not access resources to support these disabilities (ex: hearing aids, walkers, wheelchairs, etc…). true or false
true
What are 2 things older people are usually described as?
- fit
- frail
What is the difference between fit and frail?
fit = overall good health
frail = significant physical or mental health problems
What do many older adults live with and what can it lead to?
- chronic pain
lead to…
- unhappiness
- irritability
- anxiety
- depression
- altering life experiences
As we age, its inevitable that people lose friends, family members, and colleagues to illness and death. What does this result in?
- large adjustment period
- feelings of loss and grief
- lead to feelings of lonliness and isolation
Do all older people have adult children or other family members to care for them? If not, what can occur?
NO
- risk of becoming isolated or disconnected –> LACK SOCIAL SAFETY SUPPORT NET
What group of older adults have few resources?
marginalized older adults
What is ageism?
prejudice and discrimination on the basis of people’s age
Are we “youth-obsessed” societies?
YES
What is elder abuse?
-when older people are pressured, bullied, misled, swindled, or neglected
- physical, emotional, financial or other maltreatment
Suicide rates decrease among older adults. true or false
false –> INCREASE
What developmental stage of Erikson is older adults in?
Ego integrity vs Despair
- inevitability of mortality must be faced
Depression is more common in older adults who feel regretful about their lives. true or false
true
Is facing death easier for those who have come to terms with their lives?
YES
What two settings are for older adults to die comfortability in their surroundings?
- palliative care units
- hospices
What are the 5 stages of the “kubler-Ross” surrounding impeding death?
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- depression
- acceptance
Do the steps of Kubler-Ross have to go in order?
NO
older people exhibit problems with cognitive functions widely. true or false
true
What do older people experience cognitively?
- structural changes in the brain
- memory loss
What 2 things can impair brain function or memory loss?
- hypertension
- excessive use of alcohol
Mild memory loss symptoms due to stress, fatigue, and depression are associated with dementia. true or false
FALSE - not associated with dementia
What is dementia related to?
- infection
- endocrine issues
- pathology
What is dementia?
general and irreversible loss of mental capabilities that effects everyday functioning
As you age, risk of developing dementia increases. true or false
true
What are the 2 top causes of dementia?
- alzheimer’s disease
- vascular dementia
What is present in alzheimers disease?
- beta amyloid plaques
- tau-protein tangles
- brain atrophy (decrease surface area of brain)
What is present in vascular dementia?
blood vessel damage that causes low oxygen supply to brain
- due to stroke, hypertension, and other problems
What are 4 things that can cause vascular dementia?
- infections
- brain injury
- excessive use of alcohol or other substances
- nutritional deficiencies
When do symptoms occur for dementia?
- appear GRADUALLY
The later the stage of dementia, the more severe memory loss can become. true or false
true
How many years on average will it take for the progression of dementia?
10 years
What is the early stage of dementia like?
- apathy
- unable to adapt to change
- memory problems or confusion
- personality change
- 1-2 years
What is the moderate stage of dementia like?
- memory probs more significant
- may become lost
- 2-5 years
What is the severe stage of dementia like?
memory loss severe
could become aggressive or combative
structured assessments are important when a patient has dementia. true or false
true
What can promote mental health patterns in the later years?
- healthy practices and patterns of behaviour
ex: nutrition, moderate alcohol use, physical exercise patterns, and social skills
What are some examples of health promotion and illness prevention strategies for older adults?
- programs to keep them physically and mentally active
- helping with coping for chronic health conditions
Where does much of the care of older adults fall to?
- spouse
- adult children
- friends
- other family members
Is burden on caregiver a real thing?
yes
Those without family members or friends to help can easily “fall through the cracks”. true or false
true
What are 3 institutions that are provided for older adults that may need extra personal support and medical attention 24/7 while they manage their health concerns?
- long term care facilities
- nursing homes
- homes for the aged
Are people with dementia able to recognize their own cognitive difficulties?
NO –> can lead to conflict with caregivers
What can slow the early stages of dementia?
inhibitory medication
What are 3 things that are important for symptom management for dementia?
- quality interpersonal support
- quality environmental support
- human contact that is warm and caring
What are 4 things that can help with managing memory difficulties?
- diminish stress and distraction
- provide orienting information and avoid challenging questions
- instill a regular routine
- use memory aids
You may require multi-modal intervention for dealing with depression and grief in older adults. What could that include?
- counselling
- psychotherapy
- use of meds
- other physical treatments
What is known as a “last resort” for treating severe depression?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
