HESI MENTAL HEALTH notes WEEK 8 2024(HEALTH ISSUES AT OLD AGE

HESI MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 8
2024(HEALTH ISSUES AT OLD AGE

Mental health issues in old age
GERIATRIC SYNDROMES:

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MULTIPLE ETIOLOGIC FACTORS

Impaired mobility

Urinary incontinence

Dizziness

Falls and falling

Mental health issues



Mental health problems

depression

Most common affective disorder.

May also be an early sign of a chronic illness or the result of physical illness. Signs of depression
include;

ØFeelings of sadness,

ØFatigue,

ØDiminished memory and concentration,

ØFeelings of guilt or worthlessness,

ØSleep disturbances,

ØAppetite disturbances with excessive weight loss or gain,

ØRestlessness,

ØImpaired attention span,

ØSuicidal ideation.

mx
Antidepressants – TCAs, SSRIs…..examples???

, Psychosocial approaches

Delirium

Often called acute confusional state, begins with confusion and progresses to disorientation.