topic 12 Mental Health in Older Adults

Mental Health in Older Adults

Factors AFFECTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OLDER PEOPLE

• CONTEXTUAL & ENVIRONMENTAL

Stereotypes affect

• self-fulfilling PROPHECY “ I am old, so I will act like an old person because of my idea which refers to being old”

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY EFFECT

• tend to adopt the dominant negative image in society & behave according to this image, which defines what an older person should or should not do.

What can Stereotypical and negative view of old age influence

•  decision-making on economic issues, social benefits or social policies.

Underestimation of the physical and mental capacities of older people can lead to

• loss of independence,

• increased disability,

• higher rates of depression

• premature mortality

WHAT IS CHANGING in old ages

• Roles & the meaning of age

• Older people arrive in better physical and cognitive condition & dependency is delayed at older ages.

• People between the ages of 60 and 69 are not considered "old", they are defined from adulthood.

• The healthiest people are those who reach the age of 65 & have an average life expectancy of more than 20 years after that age.

• The healthiest people

• are those who reach the age of 65 & have an average life expectancy of more than 20 years after that age.

GERASCOPHOBIA

• INTENSE fear of growing old

• causing decrease in self-esteem, enjoyment & self-concept

What is important during Retirement

• socio-economic position

• Balanced investment

• Relationship between volunteering and well-being in retirement

• Personal relations

  • PROGRAMMES SUCH AS UNIVERSITIES FOR SENIORS

Balanced investment

• characteristic of more educated people, with equal allocation of time between family, work and recreation.

Personal relations is important during retirement because

• Retirement MAY entail loss of social contact.

• Leading to Illnesses → difficulty in going out and seeing people.

Typical associations between retirement & social relationships

• They have half as many people in their social networks as younger adults.

• Men's social networks are somewhat smaller than those of women.

Close circle of confidants in old ages are

• more important than ever for your PHYSICAL, FUNCTIONAL AND EMOTIONAL well-being.

Importance of social relations in old ages

• Emotional support from friends 

• Supporting social links as a lifeline

• Intimate social relationships as important as smoking, obesity & alcohol abuse.

 Emotional support from friends 

• give satisfaction with life in the face of stress & trauma.

challenges in social relations.

• Conflicting relationships 

• Absent social relationships 

• Feelings of worthlessness to others

Absent social relationships 

• negatively affects health: may accelerate physical and cognitive decline.

 Feelings of worthlessness to others may lead to

• risk factor for disabilities & mortality

Marital relations in old ages

• Greater satisfaction and fewer adjustment problems in their marriages

What is the key factor for marital satisfaction

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution

tendency towards consistency in conflict resolution patterns & improved ability to regulate emotions.

Married people are

Healthier and live longer

• there are also gender differences:

• Elderly women → is affected by the quality of marriage.

In marriage Men receive their main support from

• their wife

In marriage women receive their main support from

• friends, relatives and children

Important effect of caring for grandchildren

• challenges cognitive skills such as working memory

• challenges their physical activity

• improve social relations

Teaching to play by playing Caring for grandchildren as a protective factor for the development of

Alzheimer's disease

SEXUALITY AND AGEING

• several stereotypes, however old people do have sex, however there may be some implications related to functioning factors

Most important factor in maintaining sexual function in old age

continued sexual activity

Sex in old age is different from before Men

• Longer time to erection and ejaculation, need for more manual stimulation and increased refractory period (time between ejaculations).

Sex is different from before Women

• Reduced intensity of breast engorgement & other signs of sexual arousal, lubrication problems.

Poor mental health and relationship dissatisfaction affecting sex may lead to

• sexual dysfunction in both sexes - similarly if we are affected by a disease

Elderly people are Interest in sex and sexual relationships when experiencing

• Life satisfaction, cognitive functioning and psychological well-being 

Ageing at home

• It is the preference

What is important when Ageing at home

• Importance of family members as informal carers → although caregiving as a source of stress.

• Most important single factor > being married: mutual care.

• Increased likelihood of institutionalisation

• if one or both lose their strength, become ill, are unable to care for themselves or one of them dies.

COHOUSING SPAIN

• is an community consisting of elderly people living individually, either alone or with their partner, however this community offers bigger areas within cohousing where people can meet and socialise, such as eating dinner together or play some games.

The main risk factor for living alone

• Due to longer life expectancy and higher probability of widowhood in women

 Increased likelihood of those living alon

• financial poverty & of ending up in an institution.

Growth of elderly households driven by

• Increased longevity.

• Higher benefits and pensions.

• Increase in home ownership.

• Increase in accommodation with facilities.

• Increased availability of community support.

False belief about the preference for solitude.

• stereotype that certain people prefer to be alone, when in reality, they might feel lonely or socially isolated but aren’t choosing that solitude.

• Increased association of loneliness with disability & withdrawal from the social world.

What can help older people living alone

• Social activities such as attending a centre for older people or doing voluntary work

Elderly Living with adult children

• In collectivistic contries (developing countries) → expected to live and be cared for in the homes of their children or grandchildren.

• Developed countries → prefer not to have to live with their children: they fear being a burden on their families and giving up their freedom.

What is important in a situation related to Living with adult children

• Past relationship and skills to communicate openly, mutual decision, respecting each other's dignity & autonomy & accepting differences.

Living in residences

• developing countries → Rare

• no longer rare in countries where the population is ageing rapidly and there is a shortage of family resources.

essential element of good care

• A sense of control & decision-making over one's own life

when autonomy is supported

• the perception of freedom and choice increases, which is related to psychological adjustment and well-being.

• Personal relationships in old age

• Are central to the emotional & psychological well-being of older people

As people age they experience changes in their social environment

•  including the loss of friends and family, withdrawal from work or community activities, and reduced mobility.

healthy interpersonal relationships is crucial

•  provide emotional support,

• companionship

• sense of belonging.

effective strategies that can contribute to an active and fulfilling social life in later life.

• Making new friends

• participating in community groups

• using technology to connect with loved ones 

Perceived social support

• refers to a person's perception of the availability & quality of supportive relationships in their environment.

Research has shown that high levels of social support are 

• associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress, as well as better quality of life

Variables that influence perceived social support include

• family closeness

• quality of friendships

• participation in community activities.

key strategy for improving the well-being of older people.

•  Promoting a supportive social environment

DEPRESSION IN in Older Adults

• Older people give less priority to their mental health

• ageism leads to the normalisation of depression in later life.

Grief

• emotional process that occurs in response to the loss of a loved one or a significant part of a person's life.

The conceptualised journey of griefing

• Denial, anger, bargaining, depression & acceptance

Grief can manifest itself in a variety of ways,

• Emotional, physical & behavioural reactions

• It can last for varying lengths of time depending on the individual & the nature of the loss

Understanding grief is essential

• To provide appropriate support for those going through the process

• to help them feel validated in their feelings & experiences.

Bereavement coping

refers to the strategies and mechanisms a person uses to deal with the emotional pain and suffering associated with loss.

Bereavement coping strategies includes

• using social support networks,

• seeking professional help,

• expressing feelings through writing or art,

• engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise or meditation.

What can help navigate people though a healthy process of grief

• Encouraging an environment that allows for the expression of feelings & the seeking of support