Older adults are exposed to biological, psychological, and social factors that affect their mental health.
Mental health problems often go unnoticed, are not diagnosed or treated, so the training of professionals in this area is essential.
Prevention of mental illness and addictions:
1. Develop specific protocols to identify early those people who are at risk of mental illness, based on the principles of geriatric assessment with a comprehensive vision and their implementation in all health facilities:
• In hospital wards (especially geriatric, internal medicine, and surgical wards).
• In primary care services.
Services that an HHA offers to help mental health:
• Company.
• Transfer.
• Cleaning.
• Personal care.
• Food preparation.
• Medication reminder.
• Create a safe environment at home.
For an HHA to maintain mental health for patients they can:
• Help with exercise and movement regularly.
• Help with healthy foods and meals regularly and stay hydrated.
• Practice a relaxing activity. Explore a variety of relaxation or wellness mobile apps or programs that might incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises.
• Focus your attention on the positive things. Identify and question your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
• In nursing and home care services.
• In long-term care devices.