Mental Health Flashcards
Mental Health in Older Adults - Prevalence
Approximately 17-30% of people 65+ experience some type of mental health concern. The most common mental health conditions are depression and anxiety
Mental Health in Older Adults - Suicide Risk
Older men have the highest suicide rate of any age group
Impact of Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults
Depression and anxiety in older adults are associated with increased cognitive decline and dementia risk. These conditions are often unrecognized and therefore go untreated. There is currently a lack of adequate mental health services for older adults
Risk Factors for Older Adults’ Mental Health
Risk factors include cumulative stresses and adversity across life, lack of social and emotional support leading to increased loneliness, abuse of older adults (increases depression and anxiety), and caring for a spouse with chronic conditions
Substance Abuse in Older Adults - Common Misuse
Many older adults take multiple medications daily, making misuse common. Alcohol, cannabis, and medications are commonly given to older adults to manage pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, and depression
Substance Abuse in Older Adults - Physiological Factors
Older adults’ bodies break down substances slower, they tend to have less muscle mass, and less water content. They are also more nicotine-dependent than the general population. The frequency of daily alcohol use peaks at 65-74 years of age. Cannabis use is lower in current older adults than younger generations
Do new panic disorders typically happen in older adults?
New onset of panic disorder is uncommon in older adults; it is more typical for those who experience panic disorder to have had it for a long time
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in Older Adults - Different Symptoms
Symptoms in older adults may be different or less obvious such as memory difficulties or personality changes, physical aches and pains, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems, disinterest in sex, decreased socialization, suicidal thoughts or feelings
Suicide in Older Adults - Rates in Canada
In Canada, older adults (particularly white men) have the highest rates of suicide. A major risk factor is depression
Factors that Increase Suicide Risk in Older Adults
Include experiences of loss (health, loved ones, mobility, independence), major life changes (retirement, financial status change, care facilities), fewer relationships and connections, feeling of being a burden, and chronic illness and pain
Factors that Reduce Suicide Risk in Older Adults
Include good physical and mental health, strong, supportive relationships, willingness to ask for help, having meaning and purpose, and not having access to lethal means
General Health Effects of Anxiety/Depression
Result in high rates of medical service utilization, increased mortality and risk of disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), and increases in cortisol
Cognitive Changes Associated with Depression and Anxiety
Associated with impairments in executive functioning and attentional biases, and impairments in episodic, autobiographical, and working memory. The causal relationship is unclear. Some research suggests poor cognitive function predicts onset/increased severity of mood and anxiety disorders over time.
Brain Changes Associated with Depression and Anxiety
Include reduced grey matter volume and white matter integrity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and functional and structural abnormalities in the hippocampus, amygdala, and limbic/paralimbic areas. These suggest abnormalities in executive function, memory, attention to affective stimuli, and self-referential thoughts
Depression as a Risk Factor for Dementia
A history of depression is known to nearly double the risk of developing dementia, possibly due to prolonged hippocampal damage from hypercortisolemia. Depression may also be a marker of prodromal dementia (especially late-onset) or a psychological response to a dementia diagnosis
Delirium - Key Features
Confused thinking and reduced awareness of one’s environment that develop rapidly. Can affect cognition (attention, memory, orientation), perception, sleep cycle, personality, and mood. Has many causes like medical conditions, dehydration, medications, sleep deprivation, fever. Can be hyperactive or hypoactive.
