Chapter 10: Mental Health and Illness in Older Adults

Question 1

What is the World Average life overall life expectancy?

Answer 1

66.57

Question 2

What is the Canadian overall life expectancy?

Answer 2

81.33

Question 2

As you get older, what does acquired knowledge and years of experience allow them to develop?

Answer 2

WISDOM!

Question 3

What are 3 important things that grandparents play in families?

Answer 3

1. provide children with non-judgemental love and acceptance
2. give children feelings of safety, security, and self-esteem
3. provide support to parents

Question 4

According the the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, what does 3/4 of the older population describe their health as depsite having a significant disability?

Answer 4

very good or pretty good

Question 5

Why could older adults report having very good or pretty good health despite having a disability?

Answer 5

older people have tendency to minimize complaints about poor health

Question 6

close to half of adults 65+ report some degree of disability and many do not access resources to support these disabilities (ex: hearing aids, walkers, wheelchairs, etc…). true or false

Answer 6

true

Question 7

What are 2 things older people are usually described as?

Answer 7

1. fit
2. frail

Question 8

What is the difference between fit and frail?

Answer 8

fit = overall good health
frail = significant physical or mental health problems

Question 9

What do many older adults live with and what can it lead to?

Answer 9

• chronic pain

lead to…
- unhappiness
- irritability
- anxiety
- depression
- altering life experiences

Question 10

As we age, its inevitable that people lose friends, family members, and colleagues to illness and death. What does this result in?

Answer 10

• large adjustment period
• feelings of loss and grief
• lead to feelings of lonliness and isolation

Question 11

Do all older people have adult children or other family members to care for them? If not, what can occur?

Answer 11

NO

• risk of becoming isolated or disconnected –> LACK SOCIAL SAFETY SUPPORT NET

Question 12

What group of older adults have few resources?

Answer 12

marginalized older adults

Question 13

What is ageism?

Answer 13

prejudice and discrimination on the basis of people’s age

Question 14

Are we “youth-obsessed” societies?

Answer 14

YES

Question 15

What is elder abuse?

Answer 15

-when older people are pressured, bullied, misled, swindled, or neglected

• physical, emotional, financial or other maltreatment

Question 16

Suicide rates decrease among older adults. true or false

Answer 16

false –> INCREASE

Question 17

What developmental stage of Erikson is older adults in?

Answer 17

Ego integrity vs Despair

• inevitability of mortality must be faced

Question 18

Depression is more common in older adults who feel regretful about their lives. true or false

Answer 18

true

Question 19

Is facing death easier for those who have come to terms with their lives?

Answer 19

YES

Question 20

What two settings are for older adults to die comfortability in their surroundings?

Answer 20

1. palliative care units
2. hospices

Question 21

What are the 5 stages of the “kubler-Ross” surrounding impeding death?

Answer 21

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. depression
5. acceptance

Question 22

Do the steps of Kubler-Ross have to go in order?

Answer 22

NO

Question 23

older people exhibit problems with cognitive functions widely. true or false

Answer 23

true

Question 24

What do older people experience cognitively?

Answer 24

- structural changes in the brain - memory loss

Question 25

What 2 things can impair brain function or memory loss?

Answer 25

1. hypertension 2. excessive use of alcohol

Question 26

Mild memory loss symptoms due to stress, fatigue, and depression are associated with dementia. true or false

Answer 26

FALSE - not associated with dementia

Question 27

What is dementia related to?

Answer 27

- infection - endocrine issues - pathology

Question 28

What is dementia?

Answer 28

general and irreversible loss of mental capabilities that effects everyday functioning

Question 29

As you age, risk of developing dementia increases. true or false

Answer 29

true

Question 30

What are the 2 top causes of dementia?

Answer 30

1. alzheimer's disease 2. vascular dementia

Question 31

What is present in alzheimers disease?

Answer 31

- beta amyloid plaques - tau-protein tangles - brain atrophy (decrease surface area of brain)

Question 32

What is present in vascular dementia?

Answer 32

blood vessel damage that causes low oxygen supply to brain - due to stroke, hypertension, and other problems

Question 33

What are 4 things that can cause vascular dementia?

Answer 33

- infections - brain injury - excessive use of alcohol or other substances - nutritional deficiencies

Question 34

When do symptoms occur for dementia?

Answer 34

- appear GRADUALLY

Question 35

The later the stage of dementia, the more severe memory loss can become. true or false

Answer 35

true

Question 36

How many years on average will it take for the progression of dementia?

Answer 36

10 years

Question 37

What is the early stage of dementia like?

Answer 37

- apathy - unable to adapt to change - memory problems or confusion - personality change - 1-2 years

Question 38

What is the moderate stage of dementia like?

Answer 38

- memory probs more significant - may become lost - 2-5 years

Question 39

What is the severe stage of dementia like?

Answer 39

memory loss severe could become aggressive or combative

Question 40

structured assessments are important when a patient has dementia. true or false

Answer 40

true

Question 41

What can promote mental health patterns in the later years?

Answer 41

- healthy practices and patterns of behaviour ex: nutrition, moderate alcohol use, physical exercise patterns, and social skills

Question 42

What are some examples of health promotion and illness prevention strategies for older adults?

Answer 42

- programs to keep them physically and mentally active - helping with coping for chronic health conditions

Question 43

Where does much of the care of older adults fall to?

Answer 43

- spouse - adult children - friends - other family members

Question 44

Is burden on caregiver a real thing?

Answer 44

yes

Question 45

Those without family members or friends to help can easily "fall through the cracks". true or false

Answer 45

true

Question 46

What are 3 institutions that are provided for older adults that may need extra personal support and medical attention 24/7 while they manage their health concerns?

Answer 46

1. long term care facilities 2. nursing homes 3. homes for the aged

Question 47

Are people with dementia able to recognize their own cognitive difficulties?

Answer 47

NO --> can lead to conflict with caregivers

Question 48

What can slow the early stages of dementia?

Answer 48

inhibitory medication

Question 49

What are 3 things that are important for symptom management for dementia?

Answer 49

1. quality interpersonal support 2. quality environmental support 3. human contact that is warm and caring

Question 50

What are 4 things that can help with managing memory difficulties?

Answer 50

1. diminish stress and distraction 2. provide orienting information and avoid challenging questions 3. instill a regular routine 4. use memory aids

Question 51

You may require multi-modal intervention for dealing with depression and grief in older adults. What could that include?

Answer 51

- counselling - psychotherapy - use of meds - other physical treatments

Question 52

What is known as a "last resort" for treating severe depression?

Answer 52

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)