Mental health in older adults: major neurocognitive, affective, and sleep disorders

• Published in: Revista peruana de medicina experimental y salud pública Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 342 - 350
• Main Authors: Tello-Rodríguez, Tania, Alarcón, Renato D, Vizcarra-Escobar, Darwin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Peru Instituto Nacional de Salud 01-06-2016
• Subjects: adulto mayor; Affect; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; depresión; Humans; Mental Health; Quality of Life; salud mental; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; trastornos del sueño; trastornos neurocognitivos
• ISSN: 1726-4634; 1726-4642
• DOI: 10.17843/rpmesp.2016.332.2211

Numerous biological, psychological, and social factors influence the mental health of elderly individuals to varying degrees. Apart from components related to the normal aging process and the co-occurrence of various medical conditions, events such as the death of a loved one, retirement, or disability significantly contribute to a variety of mental and emotional problems in this stage of the life cycle. The most frequent problems affect the neurocognitive, emotional, and oneiric spheres. Major neurocognitive disorders reduce one's overall performance and, thus, increase their need for close care. Affective disorders may be exacerbated by the lack of family support and decreased social interactions, which may lead to significant isolation result in suicidal behavior. The increased frequency of sleep disorders such as insomnia and daytime sleepiness and specific disorders such as obstructive apnea significantly alter the quality of life of this population.