Mental Health Issues Of Older Women

Discover the latest research on the mental health concerns of older women Women are the primary consumers of mental health services, however, there is a paucity of research on their specific needs. Mental Health Issues of Older Women: A Comprehensive Review for Health Care Professionals presents a comprehensive overview for health care professionals, educators, and students on the study of mental health problems of aging women. This resource provides the latest research and informed perspectives by seasoned mental health clinicians. A wide range of mental health problems are explored, including dementia, cognitive impairment, alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders, traumatic and dissociative disorders, sexual and eating disorders, and personality disorders. Mental Health Issues of Older Women provides practicing therapists and counselors with a much-needed research update and a broad clinical perspective from respected experts. This book uses current psychiatric diagnoses as a framework to gain greater depth of understanding to address the mental health issues of older women. Students and health professionals will discover valuable information, inspiration, and encouragement in their work with middle-aged and older women who are facing mental health challenges. This volume provides extensive references. Topics in Mental Health Issues of Older Women include: the role of cognitive impairment in older persons assessment tools and treatment options for older women who display alcohol use problems schizophrenia in older women major depressive disorder among older women therapeutic options for anxiety disorders under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed incidents of PTSD a provocative look at dissociative identity disorder sexual problems with treatment options eating disorders with treatment approaches effective treatment options for borderline personality disorder Mental Health Issues of Older Women provides practitioners, educators, students, researchers, and administrators with an essential review of the latest research and current issues on the mental health problems of older women.

Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.

Studying the interaction of gender, class, race/ethnicity, and aging in the depression experience of older women provides a unique opportunity to understand how aging plays a significant role in shaping conceptions of self and emotional health trajectories for women. Based on author interviews with mostly working-class, depressed, elderly women, this book contributes to the theoretical understanding of femininity and aging and the practical implications for policy and effective health care treatment. Cultivating an "alternative self" can reduce older women’s suffering and provide the emotional resources to change their inner worlds, even if the outer world stretches beyond their control. Depression affects women twice as often as men. Up to 40 percent of older adults respond poorly to depression treatment, and depression is linked to higher morbidity and mortality rates and cognitive decline. Older adults with depression have 50 percent higher health care costs, yet depression is accurately recognized in less than one half of older adults in primary care. While older men are more likely to die by suicide, older women are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide, and depression is the best predictor of suicide in older adults. Latina and African American women have lower rates of depression treatment compared to non-minority women. From issues of health care access to the stigma of depression, older Latinas and African American women are at an increased risk for untreated depression. This book seeks to address some of the significant gaps in our knowledge of late-life depression in women, especially in ethnic minorities, ranging from detection and efficacy of depression treatment to informal influences (e.g., family) on formal depression care seeking.

This book is collection of papers on a variety of cross-cutting issues on the theme of mental health and aging women. It brings together contributions from academics, researchers, and medical practitioners, in the form of review papers, hospital and community based quantitative and qualitative research studies, psychological evaluations, and observations and experiences of medical practitioners. Besides the findings of a research project on Mental Health and Aging this book gives demographic data on the socio-economic and health conditions of the aged population of India, explores the concerns and issues of aging women, their social realities and covers a range of problems related to the physical and mental health of elder persons. The role of nutrition in mental health and intervention strategies has also been discussed in some papers. The last part is an annotated bibliography of over 50 relevant literatures on Aging, Gender and Mental Health.

"Studying the interaction of gender, class, race/ethnicity, and aging in the depression experience of older women provides a unique opportunity to understand how aging plays a significant role in shaping conceptions of self and emotional health trajectories for women. Based on author interviews with mostly working class, depressed elderly women, this book contributes to the theoretical understanding of femininity and aging and the practical implications for policy and effective health care treatment. Cultivating an "alternative self" can reduce older women's suffering and provide the emotional resources to change their inner worlds, even if the outer world stretches beyond their control. Depression affects women twice as often as men. Up to 40 percent of older adults respond poorly to depression treatment and depression is linked to higher morbidity and mortality rates and cognitive decline. Older adults with depression have 50 percent higher healthcare costs, yet depression is accurately recognized in less than one half of older adults in primary care. While older men are more likely to die by suicide, older women are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide, and depression is the best predictor of suicide in older adults. Latina and African-American women have lower rates of depression treatment compared to non-minority women. From issues of healthcare access to stigma of depression, older Latinas and African-American women are at an increased risk for untreated depression. This book seeks to address some of the significant gaps in our knowledge of late-life depression in women, especially in ethnic minorities, ranging from detection and efficacy of depression treatment to informal influences (e.g. family) on formal depression care seeking"--

Health & Economic Status of Older Women is a collection of research issues and data sources. This book is organized in three parts. Part 1 sets the stage for the more focused discussion of health and economic issues in the lives of old women that follows in Part 2. This first section contains papers by both Troll and Reinharz. Their papers - presented as keynote addresses in the conference - provide a historical context for the subsequent material. Both authors issue challenges to those who would focus their research efforts on older women. The second part of the book contains the substantive discussions of health and economic aspects of women’s lives. The final part contains discussions of research methodologies.

Community Mental Health for Older People is the perfect resource for mental health workers as it discuses the ageing population, within the context of community mental health. It provides a comprehensive overview of the important issues and clinical practices that influence mental health care for older people. Written from a multidisciplinary perspective it is suitable for all health workers in community mental health teams (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, clinical psychologists, consumer representatives, medical practitioners, occupational therapists, registered nurses, social workers, etc) as it incorporates the use of case studies to aid in the application of evidence-based practice. Multidisciplinary approach serves to illustrate the breadth and context of mental issues for older people Chapters are topical and relevant, discussing issues such as service provision, cultural and rural issues, major disorders and interventions, as well as ethical and legal issues. Vignettes are included throughout the clinical chapters and serve to illustrate real cases derived from practice Evidence-based practice is a key element to this pivotal new text as it highlights the best method of practise, in a clear and accessible manner. Highly readable style without the bulkiness of excessive references This text will cover issues relevant to the mental health of older people within a community context in Australia and New Zealand. Issues will include population health and the clinical management of the major concerns experienced with the diverse clinical presentations by older people. The mental health care of older people is now considered a specialist area with older person's mental health services being key components of the mental health service framework. The publication is primarily aimed at health workers in community mental health teams (registered nurses, clinical psychologists, medical practitioners, social workers, occupational therapists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers etc), but would incorporate those trainee health professionals involved in relevant undergraduate and postgraduate studies.