Module 10 - Mental Health and Wellness in Later Life Flashcards
Issues in family relationships later in life - Traditional Couples
- Different needs, tasks, and expectations develop
- Deteriorating health of one or both partners
- Limitations in income
- Conflicts with children or other relatives
- Different sexual needs
- Different social activites
Issues in family relationships later in life - Non- traditional Families and Relationships
- More likely to live alone
- LGBTQ issues
- Sexuality issues
- Barriers to accessing health care services
including mental health, long-term care (LTC), assisted living, palliative care and HIV support - Issues with mixed family (step parents and step children)
Issues in family relationships later in life - Older People and their Adult Children
- Younger adults are more concerned with their own spouses, partners, and children
- Issues on life choices
- Shifts to a role of friend
- Different views
- Loss of customs and traditions
What is retirement?
- A developmental stage that one leaves the working world
- Retirement was compulsory at the age of 65 years
- Canada no longer has a retired requirement age
- Transitions of retirement are different for everyone
Predictors of retirement satisfaction
- Good health
- Functional abilities
- Income
- Suitable living environment
- Social support
- Decision to retire
- Retirement activities
- Positive outlook
- Good relationship
- Interests and hobbies
Decision factors to retirement
- Financial resources
- Loss of interest for work
- Age
- Health
- Self-perception and choice
- Health decline of a loved one
What is widowhood?
- One of the most difficult transitions one can make
- Losing a partner after a long, close, and satisfying relationship
- Coping or dealing with the loss of the partner
What are the 4 dimensions of grief? Hint - ACBP
1) Affective - depression
2) Cognitive – denial
3) Behavioral – agitation
4) Physiological – loss of appetite
Common myths regarding sexuality and aging
- Older persons are too old and frail to engage in sex
- Sex is unimportant
- Sexual desire declines
Intimacy and sexuality in long-term care homes
- Can be expressed differently - not sexualized
- Coitus (sexual movement)
- Hugging
- Kissing
- Hand-holding
Masturbation - Should be addressed as a need
Symptoms of late-life anxiety
- Associated with depression
- Unpleasant and unwarranted feelings of apprehension and fear
- Physical symptoms may arise (sweating, shaking, hyperventilation, fidgeting)
Treatment and Intervention of late-life anxiety
- Depends on the symptoms, specific anxiety diagnosis
- Medications (SSRI’s, Benzodiazepines)
- Therapy/Counselling
- Relaxation techniques
- Cognitive retraining
Symptoms of late-life depression
- Physical symptoms
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Loss of interest
- Memory problems
- Persistent sadness
- Persistent pain
- Flat affect
Treatment and Interventions of late-life depression
- Medication (SSRI’s)
- Depression screening instrument Geriatric Depression Scale - Short form (GDS- SF)
- Psychotherapy
- Psycho-social interventions – Reminiscence and life review
- Therapy and behavioral therapy
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Risk factors for suicide
- Previous suicidal behavior
- Severe depression/mental health issues
- Loss of a loved one
- Isolation/Loneliness
- Medical illness
- Functional impairment
- Social, physical or financial loss
