BackChanges in Mental Abilities: What's Normal and What's Not?
Article submitted by Beth Byer of the Haven Behavioral Senior Care at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center. For more information on how to help seniors experiencing deterioration in cognitive functioning and other associated behavioral issues call 719-565-4000.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, America's population age 65 and older grew by 74% between 1970 and 1999. This growth is considered slow when compared to predictions for the next three decades. Meanwhile, the challenges of understanding the unique and specific mental health and behavioral needs of the elderly are rapidly increasing.
Caring for a geriatric patient who is experiencing significant deterioration in cognitive functioning or other associated behavioral issues can be a challenge to loving family and caregivers alike. Watching a loved one's behaviors and memory decline can be exhausting, overwhelming, and physically and emotionally draining.
Although the incidence of dementia and depression is not uncommon, balancing an individual's emotional and physical needs presents an ongoing challenge to caregivers. Introducing a psychiatric evaluation can present a different perspective in evaluating symptoms and medications, enhancing an individual's quality of life and interaction with others.
Those who know a loved one best are the first to recognize increased confusion, depression, change in gait, delusions, aggressiveness, anxiety, anger, decrease or increase in appetite, or threats of suicide. Each of these symptoms can be a signal that something is happening that needs further evaluation. While many resources exist for senior services, identifying the one that can offer direction and new information at this time can be difficult. Geriatric psychiatry is a medical specialty that is gaining popularity as the population ages. Working together with family, physicians, professional care providers and other agencies involved in senior healthcare; physicians and a team of care experts can provide assessment of medications and behavioral interventions to improve the quality of life for older people with mental health problems.