...Mental health concern is becoming more common in today’s society. However, there is a raising concern for the correlation between aging and mental health. With age comes health concerns due to the fact that all organ systems in the body undergo an aging process. Mental illnesses in older adults include, but are not limited to: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This paper will discuss the raising concern of mental health and aging, new treatment options, approaches to mental health in the elderly, and recent studies conducted on each of these critical and debilitating diseases. Depression is a very common, yet devastating disease originating from the brain. It can affect...
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...Depression is defined as a mood disorder that “causes feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed and can led to a variety of emotional and physical problems that can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home” (Parekh, 2017). The underlying pathophysiology of depression has been associated with alterations in nervous system involving serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and glutamate. There is also a correlation in late-onset depression associated with changes that occur during aging such as cognitive alterations and those related to specific disease processes. The symptoms of depression can rang from mild to severe and diagnosis requires occurrences for at least two weeks. The following symptoms...
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...Aging Population Discuss findings related to geriatric syndromes and trends evident in the aging population. According to Rodgers, Geriatric Syndromes are groups of specific signs and symptoms that occur more often in the elderly and can impact patient mortality and morbidity. Normal aging changes, multiple co-morbidities, and adverse effects of therapeutic interventions contribute to the development of Geriatric Syndromes (Rodgers, 2008, p. 323). Geriatric Syndrome includes sleep disorders, eating disorders, incontinence, confusion, falls, and skin breakdown. Mental disparities such as depression, delirium, dementia and pain are also symptom that accompanies aging (Rodgers, 2008, p. 323). Discuss cultural diversity and the impact of diversity on life transitions. The aging baby boomers generation will contain a greater racial and ethical mix than any other previous generation. This is in direct correlation with increasing immigration from primarily nonwhite countries and a lower fertility rate among Caucasians. The U.S. Census bureau predicts that nonwhite populations will account for approximately 39% of the U.S. population by 2050 (Chop, 2006). Life expectancy for nonwhite Americans is less than it is for whites. African American men and women currently live on average 6-5 years less, respectively, than their white counterparts. However, if a black person of either gender lives to age 65; his or her life expectancy is much closer to whites than it was at birth...
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...1) Introduction to Topic: Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has grown in population in the past five years. More and more hospitals and medical facilities are utilizing therapy dogs while working with geriatrics to quell issues such as depression, loneliness, and inactivity. The physiological benefits of AAT include increase of communication and improved social interaction as well as a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure. In long term care facilities for older folks, these benefits are wildly useful to both the staff and the residents. Therapy animals improve the quality of life for residents by increasing social interaction- not only with the animal handler, but also with surrounding folks that are interested in petting the dog. In addition,...
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...JudahPraise Acheampong Debra Woodson Ap Seminar Tuesday October 23, 2017 Contrary to common belief depression is more than just being sad or having the blues one day. Affecting almost 350 million men, women, and children worldwide. It isn’t usually serious with the younger demographic but that's a entirely different story when it comes to elderly people. Depression affects 6 million Americans ages 65 and older. Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by a persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities usually causing significant impairment in daily life. It’s a common side effect of life although it isn’t a normal part of aging. It can be extremely detrimental to physical and mental health of senior citizens....
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...Falls are very common in the geriatric population. They are the leading cause of injury and death by injury in adults over the age of 65 years (Lee, 2013, p.37). Falls can have devastating results in the geriatric population. Fear of falling is a defined geriatric syndrome that may contribute to further functional decline in an already frail patient. When people experience something unpleasant, their natural response is an aversion to that experience. People may begin to limit their activities after a fall or as they become weaker and less agile with increasing age. This leads to a more sedentary lifestyle and physical atrophy, which further predisposes them to falls (Lee, 2013, p.37). According to Al-Aama (2011): A fall is a complex multifactorial phenomenon. In order to understand the mechanism of falls, it is essential to understand the prerequisites of normal gait. Essential substrates for a normal gait include fine neural networks such as the cortical–basal ganglia loop and the basal ganglia–brainstem system, exquisite musculoskeletal structures with appropriately regulated muscle tone, and proper processing of sensory information (p. 772). A fall in the geriatric population could be the result of various long-term or short-term factors. A short-term factor could include an acute illness or an adverse drug reaction. Normal gait and balance requires freely moving joints; muscles contracting at the right time with the appropriate strength; and accurate visual, vibratory...
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...This paper looks at how depression continues to be one of most common medical conditions for the elderly. It also examines the increase in the suicidal tendencies of the depressed, taking into account the wrong assumption that aging necessitates depression and the difficulty of health care providers in recognizing depression. It examines how symptoms may take months to worsen and show up and how aging individuals should be treated similarly to younger patients when seen by the doctor. It is up to family and health care providers to be vigilant and notice changes, and with care, individuals can be helped. Some of these symptoms include depressed mood, loss of interest in work and activities, psychic anxiety, somatic symptoms, general (decreased energy), somatic anxiety, guilt, middle insomnia, late insomnia, and suicidal ideation. Literature into the issue of depression and the suicide rate where elderly people are concerned is important for several reasons. Consider these facts: The highest rate of suicide in the United States is among the elderly population. Moreover, suicide rates steadily increase as age advances in individuals of all races and both genders. Those that are 65 years and older successfully complete suicide fifty percent more often than the national average. Every 90 minutes a senior citizen in the United States commits suicide. Population experts estimate that by 2030, the elderly population will be about 20% of the population-about 75 million people (Heisel...
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...INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, VOL. 12: 907±912 (1997) PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN ELDERLY FROM THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT LIVING IN BRADFORD KUMUD BHATNAGAR1Ã AND JUDITH FRANK2 1 Consultant Psychiatrist for Elderly, Bradford Community Health NHS Trust, UK 2 Senior Experimental Ocer, University of Bradford and Bradford Community Health NHS Trust, UK SUMMARY In our community study of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among elderly South Asian immigrants from the Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) living in Bradford (UK), we found depression in 20%, dementia in 4% and anxiety neurosis in 4%. Subjects were interviewed at their place of residence by a consultant psychiatrist familiar with their culture and language. The Hindi translation of the community version of the Geriatric Mental State schedule (GMS-A) was also administered. Psychiatrist's ICD-9 diagnosis was compared with GMS±AGECAT computerized diagnosis. We found low-level agreement in dementia cases (kappa 0.33) whereas the agreement in subjects with depression was high (kappa 0.81). In many subjects GMS-A made a diagnosis of dementia not diagnosed as cases by the psychiatrist, who had the bene®t of additional history information from carers in this population from a dierent culture and educational background. These ®ndings are discussed along with suggestions and present limitations of GMS-A in the diagnosis of dementia in cross-cultural research. Larger...
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...Inflammatory Musculoskeletal Diseases Name Instructor Institution Musculoskeletal disorders are common and they can affect different age groups, frequently causing disability and immobility. They cause discomfort or pain in the joints, bones and muscles. The disorders can range from being acute to chronic, diffuse or focal. The chances of a person developing musculoskeletal disorders increase with age, but they are more common among the elderly. The disorders can range from back pain and gout, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal pain and tendinitis. Treatments vary depending on the age of the patient, and there is a need for physicians to intervene early before the disease progresses to ensure better chances of recovery. The physiology of aging is an important aspect of treatment for musculoskeletal problems. “Immunosenescence” is a term that refers to changes in the immune system which is characterized by declined cellular immunity resulting to increase in auto antibodies. T-cell and cytokine production also decrease. Aging results in musculoskeletal changes. The tendons, ligaments and where they attach to bonesfray and weaken; muscle mass, quality, and strength also lessen. The gait of a person with musculoskeletal problems changes with age; gait speed, stride length and step length are reduced ((Phyllis & Samuel, 2009). Treatment in older patients is risky because of polypharmacy where patients attend different...
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...Aging Demographics for Alaska HCA 490 University of Phoenix Aging Demographics for Alaska Established in 1959, Alaska became the 49th and largest state in America. Throughout the past 53 years, Alaska has developed ever changing demographics in regards to the population of age, health, race, gender, education, and employment. From top employers in Alaska such as Providence Health and Services all the way to the male female ratio, the aging generation is integrated in all demographics and is the one demographic that is not limited to other demographics. The aging population affects all races, genders, health, education, and employment. Aging Demographic Demographics are the result of statistics from data retrieved over a certain population that provide information on age, gender, race, education, employment, and income. The demographic range stretches from the categories of global, national, state, county, city, to town jurisdiction. The aging demographic in Alaska is categorized as state. Demographics can stay the same for decades and can change very rapidly. With this constant there are a number of concerns that arise along with this change. There is a large concern regarding the prices in health care based on the nation’s economy and the imminent change of national demographics. The state demographics within Alaska are impacted by this through the costs of health care and now more so than ever with the change of local demographics of...
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...those Americans who lived and died during the era of the Great Depression and World War II, their offspring, the “Baby Boom” generation, significantly shaped and improved the American landscape as well if for no greater reason than the sheer number of people who make up this population (Steinhorn, 2006). Today, based predominantly on that very same reason, the baby boomer population is now making a very different, yet equally as profound impact on American society. More specifically, this impact is being made on the healthcare system of the US, and the discriminatory practice of “ageism” that older patients currently face. The purpose of this paper is to explore, analyze, and evaluate both the practice of age discrimination in healthcare and the federal policy issues and efforts that are involved with it. The work begins by providing background information on the current demographics of the aging American population and forecasts for the impact this will likely have on the healthcare industry in the near future. It then transitions into a discussion on what ageism is, where its historical roots come from, and where it fits into the federal Fair Labor Act. A review of the literature is then presented, documenting the discrimination that elderly people are subjected to with regards to healthcare. The paper then explores the medical profession itself within this context, with a focus on examining the lack of geriatric training medical professionals receive and the limited number...
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... More than 30,000 Americans every year commit suicide. A suicide happens every eighteen minutes. The highest rate of suicide of any age group occurs among the elderly. The elderly make up 12.6% of the population, yet they account for almost 18% of all the suicides. An elderly suicide occurs every 100 minutes. Suicide ranks as the eighth leading cause of death among those aged 65 and older (Noffsinger, Knoll). Firearms consist of the main method in which the elderly take their lives. The next two in line are overdosing and suffocation. White men over the age of 85 are at the greatest risk of all groups. In 1999, the suicide rate for these individuals was 59.6 per 100,000. 84% of all elderly suicides are men. The rate of suicide for women declines after age 60. Although older adults may attempt suicide less often, they have a higher completion rate. Contrary to popular belief, only about 2-4% of suicide victims were diagnosed with terminal illness at the time of their demise. 80% of all elderly victims of suicide have seen a primary care physician within six months of their suicide. Why is it that the suicide rates for older adults are much higher than every other age group? Depression is a key factor for the rates of suicide in the elderly. Depression is most commonly associated with the pain of loss. Suicide rates are definitely higher for those who are divorced or widowed. The suicide rates of older divorced male adults was 3.4 times more than for married...
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...this paper has a degree in phycology or education. Key Words: Dysthymic, Cyclothymic Tina is a 25 year old that lives a very happy productive life most of the time. She goes through highs where she is super happy and excited but that doesn’t last forever, she then goes into a depression where all she wants to do is stay at home and sleep. Tina doesn’t know what to do, she wants to be able to live her life to the fullest but unable to do so due to her constant misunderstood emotions. Bill is an average male on the outside but inside he suffers some serious problems he is happy but in a few days he won’t be. He will become severely depressed everyday of his life for nearly two years. If bill doesn’t get help for his depression he is at high risk for suicide. Significantly, cyclothymic and dysthymic mood disorders are affecting people from all parts of the world. Cyclothymic disorder is a milder mood disorder with short periods of mild depression. Dysthymic disorder is a chronic type of depression in which a person's moods are regularly low. The concept of dysthymic disorder was brought up by Robert Spitzer as a replacement for the term "depressive personality" in the late 1970s. Depression is a mood or emotional state that is marked by feelings of low...
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...Running Head: ELDERLY LESBIANS AND BREAST CANCER 1 Elderly Lesbians and Breast Cancer California State University, Dominguez Hills School of Nursing MSN 533-08 Theoretical Aspects of Aging Running Head: ELDERLY LESBIANS AND BREAST CANCER 2 Elderly Lesbians and Breast Cancer Cancer health disparities have been documented in specific populations in the United States. Elderly lesbians are one such population, with factors related to lifestyle, socioeconomic status, healthcare practices, and access to services (Brown & Tracy, 2008). There is a pressing need for understanding of the health care disparities faced by elderly lesbians, so that the needs of this group can be adequately met. In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Several risk factors for breast cancer are at least partially modifiable, and are present more among the lesbian population than heterosexual women (Brown & Tracy, 2008). Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer among women worldwide, with rates significantly higher in developed nations. Over 80% of all female breast cancers occur among post-menopausal women. Breast cancer is not primarily found to be hereditary, but women who have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (which can be inherited) have a considerably higher breast cancer risk (Miller, 2012). Lesbian elders have particular well-being requirements, but often suffer from subpar care and reduced access to services. Fear of discrimination, low rates of health...
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...edical care is rising at alarming rates as our American population is aging with the baby-boomer generation reaching retirement levels. Adult patients 65 and older are taking up more than 40% of acute care hospital beds, while 70 million Americans will be turning 65 by 2030, making this the country's fastest growing generation. The geriatric population appear to be requiring more medical care due to an increase of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. These illnesses can be costly because of continuous expensive treatments. To effectively meet the health care needs of these patients there needs to be an improved system, along with planning and supporting care given appropriately by palliative care practices....
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