Geriatric Mental Health

Question 1

facts about geriatric mental health

Answer 1

South Carolina has a higher prevalence of mental health and lower rates of access to care.
•Older adults who have depression are at risk of misdiagnosis and lack of treatment
•more veterans and older adults have mental health problems
Most common is depression and dementia. then anxiety and substance abuse

Question 2

unique challenges faced by older adults

Answer 2

• response rates to pharm interventions
• low rates of seeking mental health services
• high rates of suicide
• co morbidities (cardiovascular)
• depression predicts poorer rehab outcomes and participation

Question 3

dementia

Answer 3

• mental decline is slow
• confused, disoriented
• STM impairments
• writing, speaking, language impaired
• lack of awareness of memory problems

Question 4

depression

Answer 4

• mental decline is rapid
• oriented
• difficulty concentrating
• language is slow but normal
• notice and worry about memory impairments

Question 5

delirium

Answer 5

• rapid onset, shorter course
• can be caused by meds or mental illness
• hallucinations, restlessness, withdrawn, disturbed sleep, slow motor

Question 6

schizophrenia

Answer 6

• generally, develops over weeks to months, but can be abrupt
• delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, flat affect

Question 7

hoarding disorder

Answer 7

persistent difficulty with getting rid of due to distress associated with discarding/need to save items regardless of their value

symptoms increase with age
must cause significant distress

Question 8

consequences with hoarding disorder

Answer 8

- Increased fall risk
•Fire hazard
•Poor hygiene
•Poor nutrition
•Increased medical conditions
•Food contamination
•Social isolation
•Medication mismanagement

Question 9

assessments

Answer 9

Whooley Depression Scale
•Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-2)
•Geriatric Depression Scale
•Geriatric Anxiety Inventory

Question 10

therapeutic approaches

Answer 10

Physical Activity
•Pharmacological interventions
•Antidepressant medications have modest effects for older adults with late life depression and mild depressive symptoms and produce several side effects
•Cognitive Behavior Therapy
•Recommendation of home modifications
•Teaching self-management to individuals with chronic illnesses
•Providing caregiver education

Question 11

important outcome areas of occupational therapy

Answer 11

• autonomy: independence
• integrity: support system, engagement, roles
• improving safety: home modifications for aging in place

Question 12

occupational therapy services in geriatric population

Answer 12

Limited resources including time restraints and large caseloads
•Educating individuals to inform them the impact mental health has on function
•The need for better integration of mental health services •Comfort level in discussing mental health concerns with individuals