 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Geriatric team of Community Support Services provides comprehensive mental health evaluations and treatment for older adults living in extended care facilities. A team of professionals includes geriatric psychiatrists, advanced practical nurses and community rehabiitation specialists. Treatment is based on both the individual's strengths and their needs.
As people age, they tend to have to cope with an increased number of stressors, often due to loss or change.
- Loss of loved ones
- Loss of physical abilities
- Change in health
- Change in residence
These stressors frequently lead to various levels of depression. But, depression may also be caused by a chemical imbalance, illnesses and medications. Depression is one of the most common illnesses associate with the elderly.
Depression in the older adult is seen as change in mood, decrease in appetite and weight loss, decreased physical activity, decreased energy level, isolation, increased memory problems and increased physical concerns. With appropriate psychiatric intervention and coordination of care, depression is a treatable illness.
Dementia is a syndrome that causes brain dysfunction and may involve a variety of symptoms including deterioration of:
- Memory
- Language
- Perception
- Judgment
- Abstract Thinking
- Emotion
- Personality
The two most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia, which is dementia occurring after a stroke. Other illnesses commonly associated with dementia are Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. Geriatric psychiatrists are excellent resources in the on-going care and treatment of people who have dementia.
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|