Exam 2 - mental health & dementia Flashcards
what are the physiological changes in the brain of older adults?
- neuron loss
- brain atrophy
- dendrites atrophy
everything is lost or shrinking
where is neuron loss more pronounced?
cerebral cortex
what are the neurotransmitters that have a big impact on older adults?
- acetylcholine
- serotonin
- dopamine
why do nurses need a complete assessment (including lab work) with an older adult that exhibits MCI?
to rule out any causes of cognitive impairment
any form of mental health disorders is not normal
true
common mental disorders in late life
- depression
- anxiety
- mood disorders
- alcohol abuse
- alcohol dependence
what type of questions does a nurse ask when conducting a mental health assessment on an older adult?
- history of their ability to cope with stress
- availability of social support
- loss of loved ones
what are the components of an evaluation of an older adult’s mental health?
- cognitive function
- substance abuse
- suicide risk
what are interventions for older adults with mental illness?
- enhance resilience & resourcefulness
- enhance functional status & independence
- promote sense of control
- foster social supports & relationships
- educate about available resources
life events & stressors have a strong correlation to development of anxiety disorders
true
what situations is anxiety associated with?
- excessive healthcare use
- decreased physical activity & functional status
- substance abuse
- decreased life satisfaction
- increased mortality rates
anxiety is a common side effect for many drugs that older adults use
true
anxiety is hard to diagnose in older adults due to their denial
true
it is possible that coexisting medical conditions & certain medications can mimic anxiety & depression
true
pharmacological interventions for anxiety
- SSRIs
- short-acting benzodiazepines
- non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic agents
non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety
- CBT
- meditation
- yoga
how does depression present in older adults?
- low libido
- somatic complaints
- decreased energy
- social withdrawal
- preoccupation with death
- memory problems
- hypochondriasis
what is the most common mental illness among the older population?
depression