Chapter 2: Mental Health Concerns and The Older Adult 6 Contact Hours
Colibri Healthcare, LLC is accredited by the Accredi- tation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Partici- pants of the session who complete the evaluation and provide accurate NABP e-Profile information will have their credit for 6 contact hours (0.6 CEU) submit-
By: Mary Perry, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC Author Disclosure : Mary Perry and Colibri Healthcare, LLC do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest in relation to this lesson. Universal Activity Number (UAN) : 0607-0000-23-013-H99-P Activity Type : Knowledge-based Initial Release Date : October 12, 2022 Expiration Date : June 1, 2026 Target Audience: Pharmacists in a community-based setting. To Obtain Credit: A minimum test score of 75 percent is needed to obtain a credit. Please submit your answers either by mail, fax, or online at EliteLearning.com/Book Questions regarding statements of credit and other customer ser- vice issues should be directed to 1-888-666-9053. This lesson is $34.95. Learning objectives Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to do the following: Examine the most common theories on aging, developmental tasks, and reflection from the older adult perspective. Evaluate essential components of the therapeutic alliance with the older adult. Demonstrate verbal communication styles that enhance the interpersonal connection with the older adult. Aging is a normal biological process. It is a distinctive, often pro- gressive, natural decline in functioning that includes all body sys- tems— cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and neurological, to note a few. Elderly is a term often used interchangeably with older adult , which the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry (Lun- debjerg et al., 2017) defines as those age 65 years and older, which qualifies them for Medicare eligibility. This patient popula - tion is projected to double from 2015 to 2050 worldwide (World Health Organization, 2017). As the world population rapidly in- creases, so too do mental health needs. Everyone will experience aging on some level, but differing populations will advance at dif- The inevitability of aging and its developmental stages in asso- ciation with human health have been studied and debated over the years. What follows is a summarization of the most common theories on older adulthood, from Sigmund Freud, Heinz Kohut, Bernice Neugarten, Daniel Levinson, and Erik Erikson. Healthcare workers see aspects of each of these while assessing and caring for the older adult’s mental health needs. Sigmund Freud was fo- cused on the need to control the ego (part of the human psyche that operates in the real world) and id (part of the human psyche that strives to fulfill primal needs) with the superego (internalized values and morals that push the ego to act in a more virtuous way). Regression may induce rudimentary methods of coping to resurface in the older adult (Sadock et al., 2015). Heinz Ko- hut stated that the elderly are constantly faced with narcissistic injury as they cope and adapt to the biological, psychological, and social losses associated with the aging process. The central task of aging is preservation of self-esteem (Sadock et al., 2015). Bernice Neugarten theorized the major conflict of old age to lie in the release of autonomy and authority; the focus is on accom- plishments and previous victory. This time is for reconciliation with others and processing grief related to the death of others and the inevitability of death of self (Sadock et al., 2015). Daniel Levinson found that age 60 to 65 is a transition period. Older people, “late
ted to CPE Monitor as early as within 10 business days after course completion and no later than 60 days after the event. Please know that if accurate e-Profile information is not provided within 60 days of the event, credit cannot be claimed after that time. The participant is accountable for verifying the accurate posting of CE credit to their CPE Monitor account within 60 days.
Differentiate the social determinants of health and the barriers to care for the older adult. Select recommended assessment considerations for the older adult. Appraise biopsychosocial considerations for the assessment for the older adult. Analyze crisis, loss, grief, and bereavement for the older adult. Distinguish risk factors, treatment, and recovery for the older adult with a mental health diagnosis. ferent rates. However, increasing age is not proportionally associ- ated with declining intellectual and physical capacity. Older adults with mental health needs are a population subset with specific characteristics for the healthcare worker. The ability to thoroughly assess and diagnose, individualize care (whether lifestyle related or pharmacologic), and tailor mental health interventions for the older adult can improve quality care and safety. The unique pre- sentation of the older adult can provide a better understanding for assessment, intervention, and treatment considerations for the healthcare worker addressing the mental health needs of the older adult. adults,” become consumed by the thought of their death and are often narcissistic and heavily engrossed in their body appear- ance. He found that creative mental activity is recommended and is a healthy substitute for decreased physical activity (Sadock et al., 2015). All the above theorists have aspects of interest for the healthcare worker to note; however, Erik Erickson’s eight psycho- social stages of development are especially worthwhile to con- sume prior to working with an older adult. Erik Erikson created a framework that highlights tasks to be ac- complished, virtues to be gained, or—conversely—a crisis can occur throughout the life span. He expanded on Freud’s theory by recognizing the relationship between the individual and their environment to include a client’s customs and traditions (Sadock et al., 2015). The healthcare worker should approach each cli- ent’s meaning, acceptance, or toil with life and death with cultural awareness. Erikson’s stages from birth to older adult are a trajec- tory of development, an amalgamation of physical, cognitive, in- stinctual, and sexual realms (Sadock et al., 2015). An interruption or inability to accomplish the tasks in each stage may lead the client to undergo a decision point in their life. The older adult is influenced by each stage along the continuum. The healthcare worker can gain much by capturing the perspective of the older
INTRODUCTION
THEORIES ON AGING
Page 7
Book Code: RPTX3024
EliteLearning.com/Pharmacy
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