Effectiveness of Mental Health Services for Elderly with Dementia

Mental Health Services
for the Elderly
Suffering from
Dementia

Table of Contents
Title: To identify effectiveness of mental health services which can help elders suffering from
dementia. A study on the UK...........................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1 Background information...........................................................................................................1
2. Overview of the research.........................................................................................................1
3. Aim and objectives..................................................................................................................1
4. Research questions...................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................2
Theme 1: Understanding about dementia....................................................................................2
Theme 2: Roles of mental healthcare professionals in prevention of elderly, suffering from
dementia.......................................................................................................................................2
Theme 3: The best approach for improving mental health of elderly with dementia..................3
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

Title: To identify effectiveness of mental health services which can help elders
suffering from dementia. A study on the UK.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1 Background information
Dementia is a syndrome for loss of memory, thinking, behaviour and ability to perform
daily activities independently (Livingston and et.al., 2017). It describes all main symptoms that
are impairment in memory, communication and thinking as well. When nerve cells in the brain
stop working and lose connection with other brain cells then it happens. In this context, it can be
said that it is the common with ageing as up to half of all people age from 85 or older have some
form of dementia. It is one of the reasons of disability and dependability among older people
worldwide. Losing track of the time, forgetfulness, difficulties in recognizing friends and
families are main signs of mental health or dementia.
2. Overview of the research.
There are several forms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common
form. Around 50 million people worldwide have been affected from it. This present study is
going to show main causes, symptoms, early signs and treatments of dementia. It will also
discuss roles which mental health care professionals play in preventing elder people with
dementia (Egan and et.al., 2018). Dementia is associated with mental health which affect overall
health of people and their families as well so, it is important to make an effective use of
appropriate mental health services. Mental health services like cognitive stimulation therapy,
patient centre care approach and others help people in improving their health. Lastly, it will
discuss all important elements of research methodology which help scholar in gathering as well
as analysing appropriate informations.
3. Aim and objectives.
Aim: The aim behind developing current study is to identify mental health services for
elderly who are suffering from dementia.
Objectives
 To outline understanding about dementia.

 To evaluate role that mental health professionals play in preventing elder people with
dementia
 To explore the best approach which can improve health of elderly with dementia.
4. Research questions
1. What is dementia and what are its causes?
2. What is the role of healthcare professionals in prevention of elderly, suffering from
dementia?
3. What is the best approach used by healthcare professionals for improving mental health
of elderly with dementia?
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: Understanding about dementia
Dementia is a term or syndromes that is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and
their connection in the brain. Overall it can be said that it is a disorder which is caused by
abnormal brain changes. According to the view of Olney, Spina and Miller (2017) causes of
dementia varies and one of the main cause is damage to brain cells. In addition, Matioli and
et.al., (2017) stated that there are some factors which leads to dementia such as: depression,
excessive use of alcohol, side effects of medication, thyroid problem and vitamin deficiencies.
On the contrary side, Scales, Zimmerman and Miller, (2018) stated that dementia is not a
single disease as it is an overall term like heart disease, which covers wide range of medical
conditions. They also discussed some symptoms and cognitive changes which happens in this
such as: memory loss, difficulties in handling tasks, confusion and others.
Theme 2: Roles of mental healthcare professionals in prevention of elderly, suffering from
dementia
According to the Sathianathan and Kantipudi (2018) mental healthcare professionals play
a vital role in improving mental health of elderly with dementia as they have active listening and
empathy skills by which they try to understand needs of patients. With communication and
active listening they try to make patients feel comfortable, valued and make them independent.
Ooms and Ju, (2016) Said that healthcare professionals try to engage elders in physical activities
and other mind games which helps them out in improving memory.