161 Mental Health Concerns and The Older Adult
ASSESSMENT OF THE OLDER ADULT: BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL Assessment is a prerequisite for inter- vention and treatment. The healthcare worker needs to tailor the styles and techniques for obtaining the information needed to fully assess the older adult based on abilities and disabilities. The healthcare worker must enter each inter- action with the older adult client with a willingness to embrace an objective per- spective, the uniqueness of the encoun- ter, and individualization of the assess- ment to maximize the quality of mental healthcare. The assessment of the older adult will include biological and psychosocial ele- ments. The current presentation and his- tory of the older adult will help define the assessment depth, highlight symptoms of diagnostic criteria, as well as maneu- ver toward or eliminate treatment options and interventions for stabilization and recovery. The biological considerations of the older adult can impact the psychi- atric treatment options and necessitate the need to collaborate with primary care or initiate coordinated care efforts. The most troubling mental health symptoms or concerns that interfere with daily func- tioning or relationships are often at the surface. The healthcare provider must verify nonverbal cues with verbal inqui- ry. The variation in communication and information exchange will be individu- alized, and the review of records will be taken into consideration, preferably be- fore the initial interview. The psychiatric history will provide the healthcare pro- vider with a detailed, longitudinal picture of effective and ineffective treatments. A discussion of biological and psychosocial considerations for the older adult is im- perative for the healthcare provider prior
information and knowledge or to function in mental or physical tasks. ○ The potential of an individual for intellectual or creative development or accomplishment. ○ Inborn potential, as contrasted with developed potential. Collateral reports Family, friends, and caregivers of- ten play an important role in the mental healthcare of an older adult. The health- care provider must obtain permission from the older adult client prior to discuss- ing any medical or mental health informa- tion. Family, friends, and caregivers can help corroborate information (objective and subjective) gathered in the psychiat- ric interview of the older adult. Legal and ethical matters must be considered at all times. While caregivers can be beneficial to older adults and healthcare workers, they can also be sources of abuse and negative interactions in private for the older adult. Caregivers can experience overextension of self and inflict harm on older adults knowingly or unknowingly (NIA, 2017). The healthcare provider is cautioned to consult all places of practice and state boards of practice for scope of practice questions or concerns. The healthcare worker has much to in- corporate for the older adult assessment. Common developmental tasks can focus the healthcare worker’s assessment and note strengths and deficits. Legal docu - mentation or intervention for healthcare directives, confidentiality, informed con - sent, and diminished capacity consider- ations should be included in older adult mental healthcare. If assistance is need- ed, consult your place of employment. Assessment considerations specific to the older adult are integral to addressing mental health concerns.
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