Seniors

In Search of Meaning

Dementia is an acquired illness that affects the functioning of a once-normal brain. As a nurse with the Elderly Outreach Service, my focus is to assist staff in providing care for seniors who are presenting with challenging behaviours due to dementia as well as other mental health challenges.

The Geropsychiatric Education Program

The Geropsychiatric Education Program (GPEP), an education service of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, would be quick to respond to this request. They would assist the staff to do a resident care review, exploring the resident’s behaviour in relationship to her physical and mental health diagnoses, her personal history, the physical environment and the staff’s approach.

Seniors' Mental Health

PDF | No. 15 (2002)

Background

Editor's Message
(Eric Macnaughton)
The State of Seniors' Health in British Columbia
((guest editorial) Martha Donnelly)

Treatments: What Works?

It seems like everyone has an opinion when it comes to treatments for mental health or substance use problems. To add to the confusion, it isn’t always obvious who is basing their opinions on real evidence and who is not. And while we often hear people talk about evidence-based treatments, it’s also clear that complementary and alternative medicine approaches are helpful for some.

Finding the Right Help - Navigating the System

While it's common to talk about the mental health system, the system isn’t a singular entity. The system might include primary care, mental health, substance use, housing, income assistance, and justice. They are not always accessed the same way, through similar gatekeepers.

Seniors and Depression: Information for friends and family

Have you noticed that your senior loved one seems unhappy or more anxious, irritable or moody? Maybe you notice that they are quieter than they once were and have stopped doing things they were once interested in.

Seniors and Depression: Suicide information

Seniors are at greater risk of suicide than are younger people. The British Columbia Crisis Centre indicates that, “Statistics tell us that older adults, particularly older males, have high rates of suicide."

Seniors and Depression: The difference between depression and dementia

Depression is a mood disorder; dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, can have similar symptoms but they are different illnesses and have different treatment plans. It’s important to know what to look for to help determine what illness you might be dealing with. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis however so if you experience any of the symptoms of either illness see your doctor right away.

Seniors and Depression: Concerns about medications

Although anti-depressant medications have been around for years, there are still a great number of misconceptions about how they work and the effects they have; antidepressants have always been as effective as they are now but newer medications may have less side effects.

Seniors and Depression: Information you need to know

Depression is a serious illness, especially for seniors. Seniors who have recently been moved to a care home or hospital, spend a lot of time alone, are experiencing health problems, or have recently lost a loved one may be at increased risk of depression.

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