Psychosocial Care in Old Age-gateway to Quality Mental Health

Abstract

The mental health scene in India has changed followingindependence and changes in last few decades are remarkable.

Due to advancement of treatment facilities and prevention ofcommon infectious diseases, life expectancy has been increased in our country. The existing care of geriatric patients can be projected as CARE.

Community based long term care, consumer directed care, counselling service.

Advanced geriatric management of physical and mentaldisorders.

Rehabilitation –Psychosocial –Industrial based, Family basedand Community based.

Educating family members and care givers.

The common psychiatric disorders which are seen during oldage are –

• • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• • Loss of memory (Dementia)

• • Delusional Disorder

• • Affective Disorder

• • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• • Effects of Drugs and Alcoholism (Substance Abuse Disorder)

Common Psycho – Social problems which are seen in old ageare –

• • Obsession

• • Loneliness

• • Dementia (Difficulty in remembering)

• • Aloofness

• • Grandiosity

• • Emotional Problem, ‘Empty nest’ syndrome, Economic insecurity.

Some other problems also create adverse effect during oldage like –

Adversity – Functional limitation. Life getting worse in thedomains of health, stress and general living circumstances and experiencing anegative life event.

Reluctant family member

Prejudice and taboos

Unfriendly neighbour

Absence of Resilience

Unhealthy community spirit

Limitation and scarcity of resource and standardguideline

Lack of trained caregiver, multidisciplinary approach

InIndia, some socio cultural advantages are there for caring aged persons. These are –

Positive family structure

Love, Care and interaction with distant relatives

The grandmother effect on ageing and cognition

Family history and adaption by 90+

Social resource