ABSRACT
This paper explores the need of adding Reminiscence Therapy to the National Joint Commission’s list of safety goals for long term care facilities. It links scientific research of psychologist Erik Erikson’s ‘Integrity vs. Despair’ theory as relative to the new goal. It examines research conducted by psychologist Jonathan Gerson in relation to the benefits of Reminiscence therapy in preventing feelings of despair in elderly patients showing its relationship to safety. National Awareness of Mental Illness facts are included to show the correlation of despair (that leads to depression) which in turn creates a plethora of safety risk factors that could potentially lead to significant patient injury. The discussion will also include the
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We must realize this is a safety issue that has to be addressed. The National Awareness of Mental Illness tells us that depression can decrease cognitive ability over time (NAMA, 2009), (which can lead to injury due to falls), social isolation (which can lead to anorexia and more severe depression, possibly suicide, and immunosuppression (giving rise to the increased risk for infection among decubitus ulcers as healing time slows), increased use of antipsychotic/antidepressant drugs (possible side effects of increased anxiety, agitation, and dangerous behavioral problems). All of which significantly increase injury risks and have a direct correlation with the most critical safety issues The Joint Commission list as the top five areas of safety concerns in long term care. Perhaps the cause and effect of no Reminiscence therapy equals depression which leads to a surplus of increased risk factors for …show more content…
In the few minutes that it takes to do a physical assessment, a breathing treatment, a bath, or a gastric tube feeding, we could engage in 5 to 10 minutes of eye to eye contact, therapeutically reminiscing with our elders, and in doing so could possibly influence the health of our patients profoundly. With the collective efforts among health care workers, it could eventually turn out to be a measurable cause and effect when thousands of injuries that occur every year, as a result of the many effects of Depression begin to show a significant decrease because of our joint efforts of Reminiscence therapy. Then we would see it as a preventive safety measure just as important as administering the right medication to the right patient. Perhaps then we would never have to face regret of dismissing the benefits of such a therapy that could have been bestowed upon our elders (who needed the reminiscing in the last stage of their life in order to find inner satisfaction and ward off depression). Let it not be said: Benefits that were never brought into fruition, because it simply wasn’t facilitated by us, their Health Care
Depression is a chronic, cognitive illness characterized by a prolonged state of melancholy coupled with helplessness and continued pessimism. This illness is initiated by numerous situations including traumatic experience or simply a valuable loss, causing neurological, emotional and physical changes. Depressive patients are unable to continue life as normal due to constant fear of the future mirroring past experiences. Research and investigation are constantly conducted in this area of health and there are many avenues of treatment provided by health professionals today.
It is estimated that 11-78% of residents in nursing homes are suffering from depression, especially those with dementia (Volicer, Frijters, Van der Steen, 2011). Elderly depression can have many causes, however it is widely believed a decline in physical health, and reduced contact with family and friends are two of the most prominent reasons (Llewellyn-Jones, 2007). With limited to no family contact, elderly like the rest of us feel lonely, forgotten and unimportant. On the contrary, a study conducted by researchers Holahan and Moos found with family support, depression in elderly people decreased over a one year time span (Greenglass, Fiskenbaum, Eaton, 2006). Therefore, if more elderly residents of nursing and retirement homes are visited by their family members, their mental and physical well being will likely increase. I have witnessed at the retirement home I work at, some of the residents consistently have family visit them while others I have ever seen them have a visitor. The ones who are visited, often tend to be noticeably happier and healthier, while the ones who usually remain alone tend to be more unhappy and physically unwell. For instance, I worked last Christmas and I was surprised by the amount of residents who remained in the facility on Christmas day. Although the majority of the residents went home, there still were about 25-30 out of approximately 100 residents who remained on Christmas Day. The fact that these residents had no family to spend the holiday with, or were not invited by their family members was heartbreaking, especially since holidays like Christmas are heavily focused on family relationships. Exclusion and isolation, similar to what the remaining residents experienced on Christmas day, can be interpreted by the elderly as a loss of their family 's respect and may feel as though they are a
grew up in Europe and spent his young adult life under the direction of Freud. In 1933
Also discussed in this concept are the theories of depression. Learning Theory states that patients experience depression as a result of a loss of control over one’s life. This could be a factor for C.R. in that he did not have control over his wife’s passing and his subsequent move to the nursing home. Another theory is Cognitive Theory, which states that those who are depressed focus on the negative aspects of life instead of the positive. C.R. has demonstrated that he sees the negative in situations instead of the positive. C.R. said, “I have nothing left to live for anymore so I don’t know why you bother” while performing nursing care. The text states regarding depression, “All present experiences are viewed as negative, and there is no hope for the future.” (Pearson 2011) The text also states that symptoms
Erik Erikson developed eight psychosocial stages that occur through life. These stages help parents of younger children understand what the child is thinking and why they are acting the way that they do. For a person to become a well-rounded adult they need to succeed in each level. This essay will discuss the first six stages into young adulthood.
Depression affects approximately 5% of the population at any one time, with depressive symptoms being more common in people over 65, with prevalence estimates ranging from 10 to 15% (Baldwin, 1995). Depression in nursing homes has been recognized as especially problematic states Ames, (1994). Depression is not a normal consequence of aging, and it is known to be under-recognized and under-treated, especially in hospitals, outpatient settings, and nursing homes. (Patry, 2004).
If the older patient’s complaints during a routine office visit are being ignored because of their chronological age, successful aging and quality of life will certainly be impacted by lack the of treatment for potential mental conditions. The fact that this ignorance can directly lead to suicide among this particular cohort more than any other group is frightening. Considering that social isolation is a primary reason for the onset of depression among older adults, the importance of physician and other health care provider identification of depression through screening and preventive measures are imperative. According to Blakemore (2009), 40 percent of older people who visit their general physician, half of older adult inpatients in general hospitals and 60 percent of long-term care residents have mental health problems and are often denied access to the same mental health services as younger adults including psychological therapist and drug interventions (p. 6). These numbers are astounding among a group of individuals whose physical health could be directly impacted by improved mental health care. Again, the ageism that influences screening and prevention among older adults is directly impacting the quality of life and chance at active aging among the older population.
Darby, S. Marr, J. Crump, A Scurfield, M (1999) Older People, Nursing & Mental Health. Oxford: Buterworth-Heinemann.
Adding physical therapy in a nursing home setting can help not only with the mental and physical health of the residents, but also with the number of fall-related injuries that can occur. The addition of physical therapy can help slow down the effects of aging in the body and give the resident a less painful recovery. Many people believe that decreasing the amount of pain in a resident’s life will improve their mental health in the way that they will be able to enjoy life's simple activities to the fullest. Improving a resident’s mood will help avoid a sense of anger and confusion. Anger can increase frustration; which might lead the patient to attempt to stand, which results in a fall from lack of strength.
Developing depression in later life is not a normal part of the aging but is a treatable illness just like any other physical malady. It is however often difficult to recognize in older patients. This could be because symptoms often present similar to those of dementia (Aldrich & CDC, 2013) or because of the stigma associated with having a mental illness. The older adult population in today’s society was reared in a time when mental illness was not recognized as a “biological disorder and medical illness” (Geriatric Mental Health Foundatio...
Erik Erikson was a researcher of the Psychodynamic perspective who lived through the years 1902 to 1994. He developed a theory that dealt with the stages of human development and was referred to as a Neo-Freudian. A Neo-Freudian are those “who have revised Sigmund Freud’s theory” (Massey, 1986). His theory argued that “both society and culture challenge and shape us” (Feldman, 2011). Erik Erikson’s theory of psychological development does not specify specific ages, so the age categories can only be guessed upon. It is my personal thought that this was a smart move due to different age milestones for different cultures. The essay titled Erik Erikson: Ages, stages, and stories argues that the stages “are organized into a system of polarities that tempt us to think about psychological dynamics in a form that is more binary than Erikson intended.” Each stage has a ‘resolution’ or goal. Each stage presents a “crisis or conflict that the individual must resolve” (Feldman, 2011, p.16)
The film “Good Will Hunting” follows the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon) a self-taught genius who works at one of the most prestigious technology schools; MIT, as a janitor. Will is an orphan with a criminal record of Assault, grand theft auto, assaulting a police officer, etc. Will solves a complex math problem, which leads to him being discovered by professor Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) as a genius. Professor Lambeau makes a deal with the judge when Will is incarcerated to be on parole under Lambeau’s supervision and Will is ordered to see a therapist once a week. Will Outsmarts many of the therapists, which forces Lambeau to go to his last resort, college friend and psychology teacher Sean Macguire (Robin Williams).
Erikson’s theory has a total of eight different stages. I believe Erikson had a great idea and was correct in his theory and thoughts. His stages and repercussions of each stage can be evident in my life as well as others in my life. Erikson’s first stage is about trust and mistrust in the first year of life. In my first year of life my family was very present. There does not go a week where my family does not recount about that first year and different silly or happy stories, I do not know of first hand, but can tell you without hesitation. Being that I was the first child of my parents, so as a result my parents dedicated every day to me and to support us. On my mother 's side I was the first grandchild to be born. As a result there was always
Theorists have expanded our knowledge of psychology, influenced one another to broaden, and built upon each other’s theories to develop their own. One theorist who has built upon previous theorists was Erik Erikson. Erikson developed an eight-stage theory of identity and psychosocial development, which has countless strengths and weaknesses.
In this aspect, it grabbed my attention how friendship, in general, brought emotional satisfaction, sometimes, even greater than family relationships. I recalled that while I read the article, when they shared the findings on how older adults with a more complex social circle tend to present less memory problems. On the contrary, when older adults suffer from memory loss there is a tendency of avoiding social encounters because of the shame of putting them in evidence wither friends. As mental health providers, we should consider this issue, and observe when clients start to reduce their social event frequency. If there is the case, it would be always helpful to advice them on keeping their interpersonal relationships activities, as they enhance their memory