Aging, Delirium, Dementia, and Depression

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to aging, cognitive decline, and mental health in older adults.

Delirium

An acute, sudden, and reversible state of confusion.

Dementia

A gradual, chronic, and irreversible cognitive decline.

Short-term memory loss

Difficulty recalling recently learned information, often tested through simple memory tasks.

Mini-cog

A quick screening tool used for evaluating dementia.

Social Readjustment Rating Scale

A tool that identifies life events triggering stress.

Amnesic MCI

Mild Cognitive Impairment characterized by memory deficits.

Nonamnesic MCI

Mild Cognitive Impairment that affects cognitive skills other than memory.

CAM

Confusion Assessment Method, used to diagnose delirium.

Psychosocial Wellness

Combines emotional and social health which impacts physical health.

Geriatric Depression Scale

A screening tool for identifying depression symptoms in older adults.

Braden Scale

A tool used to assess skin integrity and risk for pressure injuries.

Learned helplessness

A condition where an individual believes they cannot influence life events, contributing to depression.

Behavioral activation

An evidence-based intervention that improves depressive symptoms by increasing positive experiences.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, a class of medications used to treat depression.

Nutrition Assessment

An evaluation of dietary intake including weight, fluid intake, and nutritional adequacy.

Pressure injuries

Damaged skin and underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure, often requiring careful assessment and intervention.