Role in mental health for geriatric population is one of encouragement. Our clients often feel useless they need constant reassurance that they still have a purpose in life. Depression is a very common diagnosis.
Many geriatric patients have undiagnosed depression and or anxiety. Conversely many are on medication and have not been evaluated on a regular basis for efficacy of their current medication and the need for dosage change or reduction.
A big role . Many elderly are alone and depressed which takes a toll on their mental health.
Mental health is a part of the body’s health, regardless of age. However, as we age, our bodies and sometimes our minds slow down as well. There are diseases such as Alzheimer’s that affect memory and the body.
If you are anticipating working with a geriatric population, you should first get to know each patient/client as a person first. If they have any cognitive issues, this will become clear and you should help them obtain whatever care is needed and adjust your own interactions appropriately.
The role of mental health play in the geriatric population are need for the security , need to improve self-esteem, need to find meaning, are the three major psychological needs of the elderly and seniors expressed to La Plume Sociale.
Mental health plays a very significant role in the geriatric population. In nursing homes, patients who have dementia also have comorbid conditions such as bipolar, depression, etc.
Isolation and loss of independence play a major role in mental health problems in our geriatric population. A decline in mental health affects nutrition, fluid intake, immune function, glucose control and metabolism, cognition, coping, skin breakdown and theblist goes on and on. Lonliness, hopelessness, isolation, and loss of independence mark some of the highest stated reasons for suicidal ideation in this population.
According to the CDC's most recent data, suicide rates among men 75 and older were the highest while rates among men 45-64 and 65-74 declined from 2018 to 2020. Mental health screening tools are available to help identify coping ability and every client should be screened on every interaction with healthcare providers. In addition, regular follow up care with social services and home healthcare help to reduce lonliness, assess decline in health and mental health problems, and provide regular care for this vulnerable population. Educating our workforce to ask those hard questions is also extremely important to catch clients with mental health concerns while they are in our care.
It plays a big part because these people often times have lived a long time. Some have had u deleting mental health issues that have never been addressed and some develop with and during their disease process. Mental health plays a large part. Some may go through depression, anxiety, isolation withdrawal. Especially when they arrive to a facility. Versus being home with family.
There has been a significant decline in residents at our senior living facility when we go on lockdown for Covid. No socialization except for family members or visitors if they have any. Those with mild dementia decline. Socialization is most important.
