Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Pets as therapy: where is the evidence?
- Author:
- REYNOLDS Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing and Residential Care, 14(9), September 2012, pp.478-481.
- Publisher:
- MA Healthcare Ltd.
- Place of publication:
- London
The use of animals to promote health and well-being has a long history, However, it is yet to be recognised and accepted as either a supplementary therapy of integrated into mainstream care. After presenting a brief history of the therapeutic use of animals as companions, this article explains why the use of animals to promote and improve health and well-being has historically been met with dissatisfaction from health professionals and what this means for residents. The article explores the potential benefits to older people, and highlights some of the research that has taken place in the field. The article concludes that many older people in nursing homes may benefit from well-managed contact from companion animals.
A preliminary study of dream-telling among mentally healthy elderly: no adverse effects on life or sleep quality
- Authors:
- FUNKHOUSER Arthur T., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(10), October 2000, pp.917-930.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
While there have been several studies about dreams and dreaming among the elderly, there does not seem to have been any study of the effects of regular dream-telling (without interpretation). Listening to dreams could become a regular part of caring for the elderly and infirm. The effects of regular dream-telling in mentally healthy elderly clinical research volunteers were measured on several variables using standardized testing and self-report: life satisfaction, intrapsychic boundaries, sleep quality, sleep duration, dream recall, dream tone, and dream epoch, and were compared with two control groups. The six variables showed no significant differences among the three groups, indicating that dream-telling produced no adverse effects. The present findings seem to imply that dream-telling is not dangerous for mentally healthy individuals and may thus serve as a baseline for future studies involving geriatric patients with mental disorders or elderly undergoing significant life-events, e.g., bereavement or retirement, using the method of regular dream-telling.
The impact of mental health problems on leg ulcer treatment
- Authors:
- KILROY-FINDLEY Anita, WHEATLEY Carolyn
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 21.2.02, 2002, pp.51-52.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Reports on a case study which follows the progress of a patient with chronic bilateral leg ulcers and mental health problems. Discuss how her mental health problems affected her physical health and the treatment she received and the collaboration required from staff in five settings to ensure she received continuity of care.
Clubbing around the Wight
- Authors:
- COLE Andrew, NICHOLLS Ralph
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Care, 3(1), September 1999, pp.25-27.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
This article describes the Isle of Wight's unique travelling memory club for older people with organic mental illness.
Dysthymia among the community-dwelling elderly
- Authors:
- KIRBY Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(6), June 1999, pp.440-445.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article describes the clinical features of late life dysthymia as it presents in older people living in the community. Dysthymia describes a chronic depressive state with symptoms less severe than major depression. The research concludes that dysthymia in older people presents to primary care, rather than specialist services, and interventions must be delivered at this level.
Alcohol abuse and self-neglect in the elderly
- Author:
- BLONDELL Richard D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 11(2), 1999, pp.55-75.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Approximately one to three percent of elderly in the United States suffer from the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. Alcoholism is thought to be a significant contribution to the aetiology of self-neglect among older adults. Looks at how professionals who provide services to elderly people with alcohol-related problems have a critical role to play by screening these individuals for an alcohol use disorder and encouraging them to participate in treatment.
The natural history of mental disorder in old age: Alzheimer's Disease and depressive illness compared
- Author:
- ROBINSON John R.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(9), September 1998, pp.591-600.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Depressive illness (DI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are important causes of morbidity in old age, but the relationships between these two disorders are uncertain. The study compares the two types of illness and the results suggest that although their symptoms frequently overlap, Alzheimer's Disease and depressive illness are distinct disorders with very different prognoses. Inaccurate diagnosis may have important implications for appropriate treatment.
Psychological therapies for depression with older adults: a qualitative review
- Authors:
- DAVIES Chris, COLLERTON Daniel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 6(4), August 1997, pp.335-344.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Qualitatively reviews the effects of psychological treatments for older people with depression. Discusses psychological and social approaches, and looks at studies of combined pharmacotherapy and psychological therapy where available. Goes on to look at the cost effectiveness of psychological therapies.
A therapeutic group in the community for the elderly with functional psychiatric illnesses
- Authors:
- PROCTER Elizabeth Ann, ALWAR Lutchmee
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 10(1), January 1995, pp.33-36.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Describes a closed therapeutic group run in a community setting for the elderly with functional psychiatric illnesses. The aim of the group was to promote mental health and self-confidence and to reduce psychiatric morbidity. Suggests that such groups may be an effective means both of improving mental health and of utilizing limited health service resources, and warrant further research.
Choosing the healthy option: older people's views about treatment choices for mental health and well-being
- Author:
- PLAYFORD Linda
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 2(3), September 2003, pp.32-39.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
This article explores the perceptions of health and illness among a sample of older people receiving medication for a mental illness as revealed in a qualitative study of their views about their treatment and the self-help measures they adopt to improve their health. A sample of 14 service users volunteered to take part in the study. Four broad themes emerged in the interviews: health independence; fear of disability; livestyle; and user choice. Participants commonly reported being in good health, despite the presence of chronic illnesses. Many appeared not to relate their prescribed medication to their mental health and non-compliance with prescribed medication and dosages was common. Statutory services were described as unimaginative and lacking in choice and the older people frequently described the ways they had devised to maintain and protect mental health and well-being through ordinary social interactions and activities. Argues that those involved in planning and providing services need to change their attitudes and beliefs to ensure older people have access to preventative treatments and services that are acceptable to them and may avert the need for secondary mental health service intervention.