Background
Elderly adults are more prone to various health issues than the general population. The high disease burden in geriatrics is attributed to an increase in the risk of various chronic illnesses with aging. For instance, the prevalence of different types of cancer is high among senior adults. Furthermore, older people are at a high risk of various medical conditions, including viral infections, since vaccines are less protective in this population. Moreover, having relatively weak immune systems predisposes geriatrics to various medical conditions. These health issues affect other aspects of their lives negatively. This presentation discusses how health crises predispose elderly adults to psychological problems and recommends treatment therapy.
The Mental Health Continuum Concept
The mental health continuum captures mental illness and mental health states from two extreme perspectives.
An individual’s mental health state can lie at a particular point of the continuum at a given time.
The state can shift depending on changes in an individual’s situation.
The mental health continuum is illustrated through three significant markers;
The healthy point: Persons in this position are happy and satisfied with their lives. These individuals are emotionally stable, well-balanced, and goal-oriented (Gøtzsche‐Astrup & Lindekilde, 2019).
The problem point: This state is at the middle of the continuum. Individuals in this position seem distressed and emotionally disturbed, making it difficult for them to cope with their situations. However, they can perform different activities of daily life (ADL) (Gøtzsche‐Astrup & Lindekilde, 2019).
The disorder point: Individuals in this continuum cannot cope with stress. They portray significant changes in behavior, thoughts, and actions (Gøtzsche‐Astrup & Lindekilde, 2019).
Considering Elderly Adults’ Mental Health Needs across the Health Continuum
Mental health disorders have increased dramatically among senior adults in the US and globally. In most cases, mental health disorders coexist in this population (Reynolds 3rd et al., 2022). For instance, an elderly adult can be diagnosed with comorbid cognitive impairment and depressive episodes. In other cases, psychiatric disorders coexist with physical health issues. For example, paranoid thoughts or depressive episodes can be diagnosed in an elderly adult with hearing impairment (Reynolds 3rd et al., 2022). Mental illnesses are the most significant risk factors for disabilities in elderly adults. The most common risk factors for years lived with disability (YLD) in older people are major depression, neurocognitive disorders, substance use disorders, and schizophrenia (Reynolds 3rd et al., 2022).
A Graph Portraying the Extent to Which a Mental Illness Contributes to YLD in Elderly Adults
Major depression, neurocognitive disorders, substance use disorders, and schizophrenia
Integrating Elderly Adults’ Mental Health Continuum and Health Continuum
Incorporating the mental health continuum into elderly adults’ health care has several benefits. First, identifying an individual’s mental state enables the healthcare provider to establish contributing factors for impairment in performing ADL. Moreover, it allows clinicians to evaluate how an elderly adult’s mental status has changed. This practice also enables healthcare providers to recognize the clinical manifestations of various psychological issues. It also indicates when an elderly patient should be referred to a professional mental health provider to balance mental state, reduce the risk of YLD, and improve quality of life (Reynolds 3rd et al., 2022).
Nurses’ Role in Managing Depression Caused by an Illness
A multidisciplinary team care approach is recommended in treating mental issues, including depression, among elderly adults with other illnesses. This care approach is preferred to enhance comprehensive evaluation, intensive outreach, and effective clinical management by coordinating various Physical, mental, and social health services. Nurses are multidisciplinary team members since they spend a considerable amount of time with the patient while managing their physical conditions. Hence, nurses can ensure compliance with medications prescribed to geriatrics diagnosed with depression. Pharmacological therapy significantly stabilizes mood and prevents remission of depressive symptoms in older adults with major depression (Reynolds 3rd et al., 2022). Antidepressants also promote cognitive fitness and brain health among elderly adults (Reynolds 3rd et al., 2022). Therefore, nurses significantly contribute to better mental health outcomes and functioning recovery among elderly adults with comorbid depression.
Non-Medical Interventions Used as Supplement Treatment Therapies for Depression in Elderly Adults
Alternative treatment therapies are used to improve mood symptoms among older adults with depression. Research findings regarding the effectiveness and safety of alternative therapies among elderly adults with depression are limited. On the other hand, alternative treatments have demonstrated efficacy in treating severe depressive symptoms in other patient profiles. However, individuals respond differently to these treatments. The most commonly used alternative treatments for therapies for depression are
St. John’s Wort: This supplement intervention involves using plant-based substances in managing depression symptoms Canenguez (Benitez et al., 2022).
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: This natural health supplement is given in foods such as nuts, fish, or pills. It focuses on boosting Omega 3 Fatty Acids levels, which are relatively low among persons with MDD (Appleton et al., 2021).
Animal Therapy
Animal Therapy: People with symptoms of depression are allowed to interact with animals to achieve a better quality of life.
Summary
Health crises predispose senior adults to psychological issues, including depression. These comorbidities lower an individual’s ability to perform ADL and quality of life. Hence, the mental health continuum should be incorporated into the treatment of elderly adults for various health issues. It would enable healthcare providers to detect any psychological problems associated with the current illnesses. They would also determine if an individual requires professional mental care based on their mental state. Nurses should work with other multidisciplinary team members to improve elderly adults’ health outcomes, functioning capacity, and quality of life.
References
Appleton, K. M., Voyias, P. D., Sallis, H. M., Dawson, S., Ness, A. R., Churchill, R., & Perry, R. (2021). Omega‐3 fatty acids for depression in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11). https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004692.pub5/full
Canenguez Benitez, J. S., Hernandez, T. E., Sundararajan, R., Sarwar, S., Arriaga, A. J., Khan, A. T., … & Benitez, G. A. (2022). Advantages and disadvantages of using St. John’s wort as a treatment for depression. Cureus, 14(9), 29468. https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/internalmedicine_articles/405/
Gøtzsche‐Astrup, O., & Lindekilde, L. (2019). Either or? Reconciling findings on mental health and extremism using a dimensional rather than categorical paradigm. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 64(4), 982-988.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14014
Reynolds 3rd, C. F., Jeste, D. V., Sachdev, P. S., & Blazer, D. G. (2022). Mental health care for older adults: recent advances and new directions in clinical practice and research. World Psychiatry, 21(3), 336-363. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9453913/
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