RESUMEN
The accelerated population growth of the elderly (individuals aged 60 years or more) across the globe has many indications, including changes in demography, health, the psycho-social milieu, and economic security. This transition has given rise to varied challenges; significant changes have been observed in regard to developing strategies for health care systems across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also engaging in initiatives and mediating processes. Furthermore, advocacy is being conducted regarding a shift toward the salutogenic model from the pathogenic model. The concept behind this move was to shift from disablement to enablement and from illness to wellness, with the notion of mental health promotion (MHP) being promoted. This article attempts to discuss the MHP of elderly individuals, with special reference to the need to disseminate knowledge and awareness in the community by utilizing the resources of the health sector available in the WHO South-East Asia Region countries. We have tried to present the current knowledge gap by exploring the existing infrastructure, human resources, and financial resources. There is much to do to promote the mental health of the elderly, but inadequate facilities are available. Based on available resources, a roadmap for MHP in elderly individuals is discussed.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Comprehensive satisfaction in life may be considered as a significant contributor to health for everyone, including the aging population (individuals aged 45 years and above). For understanding the comprehensive satisfaction, an assessment measure with various psychometric properties may be useful. During a longitudinal study of aging and geriatric mental health, a 26-item tool was developed in Hindi for the assessment of satisfaction. This article aimed to analyze the items of Comprehensive Satisfaction Index (ComSI) applying Varimax rotation and to find out its association with World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief (WHOQOL-BREF). METHODS: Data of 260 subjects were extracted from the longitudinal study to analyze the psychometric properties of the tool named as Comprehensive Satisfaction Index and its association with various domains of WHOQOL-BREF. Varimax rotation was applied after computing Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's test of sphericity. Furthermore, the association between various components of ComSI and various domains of WHOQOL-BREF was explored. RESULTS: Of the total 26 items of the tool, item no. 17 was excluded due to its -ve/ <0.31 value. A total of three components were generated with >1 eigenvalues; maximum items were loaded in component 1 (19) followed by components 2 (4) and 3 (2). Each of these factors has been significantly correlated with each other. Furthermore, these components also were compared with various domains of WHOQOL-BREF, and positive correlation was obtained for most of them. CONCLUSION: There is a positive association between ComSI and WHOQOL-BREF. This tool will help in identifying the satisfaction level of the aging subjects promptly and efficiently, which would further help in making strategies for interventions.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Longitudinal/follow-up studies of older adults are a tough task as sample attrition rates due to mortality and other factors may be high in this particular group. However, such studies are very much needed to assess the outcome of health status as well as explore preventive, protective, interventional aspects, as well as risk factors. Given this, a follow-up study was planned and carried out. AIM: To discuss the rate of sample loss as well as the reasons over 9 years. METHODS: An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) supported follow-up study of urban and rural elderly was done during June, 2016-May, 2017; these subjects were studied in 2007-09 through two independent ICMR supported studies. Similar methodology and assessment tools were applied in these studies. During follow-up a semi structured proforma was developed to get the information of study cohort, obtained data was analyzed and presented applying percentage statistics. RESULTS: The sample attrition rate was reported to be comparatively high in urban 52.1% (n= 633) cohort than their rural counterparts 36.3% (n= 457). CONCLUSION: Over a period of 9 years chances of cohort loss due to mortality is about 32%-35%.
RESUMEN
Management of dementia is very crucial. Nonpharmacological methods (NPM) are well appreciated and encouraged to be used as first-line treatment for managing elderly patients with dementia (PwD). The present case reports aimed to share the strategies of NPM for managing PwD. NPM requires a structured blueprint to record, follow-up, and monitor the outcomes. A structured proforma has been developed in the department. After getting all the basic information from the patient, needed assessments are being done by the concerned team member to identify and rate the level of severity of the problem, and specific NPM strategies are being provided. Concerted efforts give positive results; knowledge and understanding about the illness help the caregiver in managing the patient. No negative impact has been reported; NPM is a cost-effective approach and therefore should be studied on a larger level to provide evidence from India and prove its efficacy.
RESUMEN
Delusional parasitosis (DP) or Ekbom's disease is a rare psychiatric condition where the sufferers have a firm-fixed belief of insects crawling over their skin. The condition may be primary monosymptomatic hypochrondrical delusion or secondary to an underlying psychiatric or organic condition. We present two cases of elderly men presenting with classical symptomatology of DP, which is found to be secondary to postherpetic neuralgia following an acute episode of shingles or herpes zoster infection. One patient responded to a combination of antipsychotic, olanzapine, and pregabalin, used for neuropathic pain, and the other patient responded completely with medications used for neuropathic pain only without any antipsychotic use.