Exam 2: Gero Lecture 7 Flashcards
adult cognition is the process of?
acquiring
storing
sharing
using info
What are the adult cog components?
language
thought
memory
executive function: organization (gather info) and regulation (evaluate and change behavior)
judgement
attention
perception
what are the adult cog in action?
orientation
problem solving
psychomotor ability
reaction time
social intactness
what are the physiological changes?
neuron loss
brain atrophy
dendrites atrophy
however NOT consistent with deteriorating mental function
SLOWING IS NORM
IMPAIRMENT IS NOT NORM
most pronounced in cerebral cortex
neuron loss
decreased weight
acetylcholine impair
brain atrophy
impaired synapses
changed transmission of dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine
dendrites atrophy
what are the 3 components of memory?
immediate recall
short term memory
remote or long term memory
what is memory retrieval?
Recall of newly encountered information decreases with age
Memory declines noted for complex tasks and strategies
Cog function?
learning in late life
cognitive assessment
basic intelligence remains unchanged with increasing years
learning in late life
True evaluation of cognition requires formal focused assessment
Complete assessment, including laboratory workup, should be performed to rule out any medical causes of cognitive impairment
cognitive assessment
Nearly 20% over 55 y/o experience mental health disorders that are not part of normal aging
Underreported and not well researched
Racially and culturally diverse
Can be affected by cognitive and affective functioning earlier in life
mental health
Common mental disorders in late life are:
Depression & anxiety
Mood disorders
Alcohol abuse and dependence
what is the health promotion assessment?
Risk factors of life transition, loss, and loss of social support
History of ability to cope with stress and life events
Assessment of cognitive function and/or impairment
Assessment of substance abuse and suicide risk
what is the health promotion interventions?
Enhancing characteristics of hardiness, resilience, and resourcefulness
Enhancing functional status and independence
Promoting sense of control
Fostering social supports and relationships
Education regarding available resources
What are the factors influencing MH care?
attitudes and beliefs
availability and adequacy of MH care
cultural and ethnic disparities
what are attitudes and beliefs for MH care?
stigma and myth that is not norm
what is the availability and adequacy of MH care?
access and ability to pay
what are cultural and ethnic disparities for MH care?
poverty
language
cultural understanding
Not part of the norm aging process
life events and stressors may contribute to development of this disorder.
anxiety disorders
what are anxiety disorders associated with?
Excessive healthcare use
Decreased physical activity and functional status
Substance abuse
Decreased life satisfaction
Increased mortality rates
what is the anxiety assessment?
Difficult to diagnose in older adults
Denial
Coexisting medical conditions can mimic anxiety
Common side effect of certain drugs
Drug and alcohol withdrawal also cause anxiety symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)
what is are the interventions for anxiety?
Treatment choices depend on symptoms, specific anxiety diagnosis, comorbid medical conditions, and current medications
what are the pharmacological measures for anxiety?
Antidepressants—SSRI’s (selective serotonin uptake inhibitors) first line of treatment
Short acting benzodiazepines
Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic agents
what are the Non-pharmacological Interventions for anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Meditation
Yoga
Therapeutic relationship between patient and health care provider is the foundation for any intervention.
Not a normal part of aging
Most common mental health problem of late life
1 in 10 older adults visiting a physician suffers from this
this and illness are like to co-occur
R/T medical conditions and med side effects
depression
Major source of morbidity in older adults
depression
what is depression associated with?
Increased disability
Delayed recovery from illness and surgery
Excessive use of health services
Cognitive impairment
Decreased quality of life
Increased suicide and non-suicide related death
what is the etiology for depression?
Multifactorial
Health and chronic conditions
Gender
Developmental needs
Socioeconomics
Environment
Personality
Losses
Functional decline
differing presentation of depression in elders?
Comorbid medical conditions strongly related to depression in older people
More somatic complaints – physical symptoms
Hypochondriasis – Constant complaining & criticism
Decreased energy and difficulties completing ADL’s
Social withdrawal
Decreased libido
Preoccupation with death
Memory problems
Strong association of depression with dementia
what is the depression assessment?
Depression screening scale, H&P, functional and cognitive assessment, medication review, laboratory analysis, comorbid conditions
GDS short form