195 Mental Health Concerns and The Older Adult
Table 8. SAMHSA Recovery Principles and Definitions with Older Adult Applicability SAMSHA Recovery Principle Recover Principle Definition Older Adult Applicability Respect
● Acceptance. ● Self-esteem.
● Eliminate discrimination and bias. ● A sense of identity beyond the diagnosis. ● Avoid labels.
Note : From SAMHSA (2012)
Hope, the first listed SAMSHA recovery principles in Table 8, has been studied in the older adult population. Verbalized hope in older adults has been proven to have a positive correlation with bet- ter overall physical and mental health, as evidenced by decreased mortality, fewer chronic conditions, lower cancer rates, fewer sleep disturbance prob- lems, decreased stress, improved sense of purpose, and increased life satisfac- tion (Hernandez & Overholser, 2021). The healthcare provider can assess for social connections and support in the older adult. Family, friends, caregivers, com- munity members, and healthcare workers are all capable of instilling hope in the older adult. Hopelessness can be expe- rienced after loss (Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2005). Hopelessness can be a target for intervention in the older adult. Individual, group, and community hope-based treat- ments have been found to be effective for increasing hope, which in turn optimizes physical and mental health for the older adult (Hernandez & Overholser, 2021). Hope holds positivity for the older adult, yet is only one of 10 principles where the healthcare worker can assess and inter- vene. Focusing on the recovery and healthy aging of the older adult, beginning with the initial interview, promotes a journey toward recovery as a fluid process with
dimensions and principles to guide the healthcare worker. Healthy aging and re- covery strategies can be preventive for mental health or goals set during any stage of mental health illness. Together, the healthcare worker and patient can maximize quality of life for the older adult. Conclusion Aging provides irrevocable changes and modifications to the human body, but it is not synonymous with mental health degradation. Theories of aging provide references for the healthcare provider who is assessing, intervening, and treat- ing the older adult with mental health needs. Communication tailored to the older adult enhances the ability to build trust and rapport for the therapeutic rela- tionship, the integral connection with the older adult. The healthcare worker might need to modify their communication with the older adult due to hearing, visual, or cognitive impairments. The healthcare worker is charged with considering the unique presentation of the older adult when assessing social determinants (pro- tective factors or barriers) and biopsycho- social factors. Knowing risk factors, symp- toms, and treatment options for older adults with mental health needs enables the healthcare worker to provide treat- ment options that maximize safety, recov- ery, and quality of life for the older adult.
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