Mental disorders are common in the elderly, including depression, suicide, anxiety, and dementia. Diagnosing these disorders can be difficult, as symptoms may be caused by physical health problems or medications. Approximately 7 million older adults suffer from depression, which is not normal aging, and those with depression often attempt suicide successfully. Factors that contribute to depression include altered sleep, poor nutrition, pain, illness, loss of a spouse, isolation, substance abuse, and life changes like injury. Physicians use charts to determine if memory loss is normal aging or a sign of dementia by considering independence, concern of family members, impairment of recent memory and skills.

2. Mental disorders seen in the elderly include:
 Depressive disorders
 Suicide
 Anxiety
 Dementia and other cognitive disorders
One of the major problems in the care of elderly persons with
mental disorders is diagnosis. Distinguishing between an
actual mental disorder and a side effect of a physical problem
or polypharmacy is often difficult. Elderly often believe mental
or emotional problems are a sign of weakness and do not seek
appropriate care.

3. Approximately 7 million older adults suffer from some
form of depression. This is NOT a normal
part of the aging process. Of those suffering from
depression, many attempt suicide. Even though the number
of seniors attempting suicide is less than in other groups
they are successful more often. Out of every 4 suicide
attempts by adults over 65, one succeeds.

4. Many factors contribute to depression in the elderly. Physiological
contributors are:
 Altered sleeping patterns
 Poor nutrition
 Pain, acute or chronic
 Serious illness such as stroke, cancer, Parkinson’s
Situational factors include:
 Death of a spouse
 Isolation
 Divorce or separation
 Life altering injury such a hip fracture
 Substance abuse

5. Approximately 5.2 million Americans have social anxiety
disorder, generally beginning in the teen years. Many adults
do not know they have a disorder, so it often goes untreated.
Common symptoms include:
Racing Heart
Blushing
Sweating
Dry Mouth
Trembling and Twitching

6. SOCIAL
BIOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY
CIRCUMSTANCES
ENVIRONMENT GENETICS

7.  Normal aging  Dementia
 Preserved independence in daily activities  Critical dependence on others for key daily
living activities
 The person complains of memory loss but  The person complains of memory
can provide considerable detail regarding problems only if specifically asked; cannot
incidents of forgetfulness recall instances where memory loss was
 The individual is more concerned about noticeable
alleged forgetfulness than close family  Close family members are much more
members are concerned about incidents of memory loss
 Recent memory for important events, than the individual
affairs, and conversations is not impaired  Recent memory for events and ability to
converse are both noticeably impaired
 Occasional word-finding difficulties  Frequent word-finding pauses and
 Person does not get lost in familiar substitutions
territory; may have to pause momentarily  Person gets lost in familiar territory while
to remember way walking or driving; may take hours to
 Individual operates common appliances return home
even if unwilling to learn how to operate  Person cannot operate common
new devices appliances; unable to learn to operate even
simple new appliances
 No decline in interpersonal social skills  Below-normal performance on mental
 Normal performance on mental status status examinations in ways not accounted
examinations, relative to the individual's for by educational or cultural factors
education and culture
Physicians often use a chart such as Source: Diagnosis, Management and Treatment of
this to determine whether or not an Dementia: A Practical Guide for Primary Care
Physicians (American Medical Association).
elderly person has dementia.

8. Regular activity, both physical Avoidance of social isolation
and mental Seeking help when necessary
Proper nutrition, including Correct use of prescribed
supplements medications
Need to avoid polypharmacy
Strong support systems:
Choosing health care
family, friends, church or providers who are trained
social groups to treat cognitive or mental
disorders.

9. References
Meiner, S. E., & Leuckenotte, A. G., (2006).
Mental Health. (3rd ed.), Gerontologic Nursing
(pp. 281-303). Missouri: Mosby.
AARP Health. Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved March 11, 2009,
from, http://www.aarp.org/health/staying_healthy/preven
tion/a2003-03-13-pin.html?print=yes
AARP Health. Suicide and Seniors. Retrieved March 12, 2009,
from,http://healthed.aarphealthcare.com/ArticlePage.aspx
?CategName=Depression&TopicName=Prevention_Risk%20
Factors&ArticleTitle=suceld