1. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
FIJI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATE III IN AGED CARE PRINCIPLES OF CAREGIVING: AGING AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS

2. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
a. Emotional Impact of Chronic Disease or Physical Disability
The impact of chronic illness or physical disability revolves around the adjustments:
Adjustments to not felling well, to decrease activity and capability, changes in priority, finances, self image and relationships can all surface at the same time.
Adjustments isn’t just for the beginning stage of an illness but a continuation on the emotional and mental changes as the physical changes become evident,

3. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Chronic Disease or Physical Disability
3. Chronic illness or disability leads to helplessness, frustration, hopelessness, or great sadness.
4. The emotional wellness of an ill or aging person has a marked impact on the physical symptoms under stress.
5. Providing holistic care and support – Connection between mind and body – one affects another:
- Holistic is concerned with the whole system – body and mind and how they affect each other.

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Chronic Disease or Physical Disability
6. Therefore it is important for Care Providers to provide care in a holistic view of the client and try to meet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
7. Poor psychological and emotional health leads to high emotional stress and heart diseases, stress, depression and negative emotions

5. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging:
As the body ages, there are number of changes occur and how a person manages those changes affect their entire outlook in their “golden years”
People age differently, and feel differently about aging
The existence of efficient, effective caregiver may help to make it easier for older individuals to live independently in their own homes as long as possible.

6. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts
Physical Impact:
Energy Levels slows, less active, may gain weight
Body systems deteriorating
Sensory loss (Hearing / Vision) decreases safe movement and communication
External changes – skin wrinkles and becomes fragile, grey hair
Changes in bone mass and strength results in serious injury.

7. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts
Emotional Impact:
Interests in hobbies and events may lessen
Fear of death / religious needs increase
Social engagements may be refused, isolation leads to loneliness
Physical effects of aging may have high mental impact.
Grief over losses, independence, loved ones, pets, jobs, may create depression.

8. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts
Emotional Impact:
Embarrassment and shame at conditions (incontinence ,dependence, illness seen as weakness)
Anxiety:
Anxiety disorders may include:
Panic disorder, Post traumatic stress disorder, Specific phobia, Obsessive – compulsive disorder

9. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Anxiety – cont’d
Social phobia or social anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Signs and Symptoms
Each anxiety disorder has different symtoms,but all the symptoms involve excessive, irrational fear and dread.

10. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Anxiety – cont’d
Behavioral Issues:
People with anxiety may not be able to cope with stresses of everyday life.
Some people with anxiety disorders can become agitated and aggressive if taken out of their comfort zone.(This is especially true for patients who are suffering from Dementia)

11. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Anxiety – cont’d
Communication Techniques:
Care givers need to use a calm, reassuring approach, (for example, "I understand you but you will be safe here”)
Treatment:
Treatments is always aimed at the cause. If a person has phobia (intense and unreasoning fear or dislike)treatment can be focused exposing the to the thing causing phobia

12. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Anxiety – cont’d
Treatment:
Counseling may also help the person cope with stresses to reduce anxiety
Medications including anti-anxiety may also help.

13. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Depression:
Major depression is the leading cause of disability in the US today and worldwide.
Signs and Symptoms:
Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed.

14. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Depression:
Behavior Symptoms – Statements about death and suicidal threats
Reading materials about death and suicide
Failure to take care of ones self
Stockpiling of medications
Social withdrawal, rush to revise wills

15. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Depression:
Behavior Symptoms – Communication techniques
Be supportive - listen and spend time together
Be concrete and direct in a kind way for example” you don’t seems to be yourself these days, I ‘ve noticed that you have been sleeping and reading the paper you used to enjoy. Are you ok….

16. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Depression:
Behavior Symptoms – Communication techniques
Avoid being overly light hearted or confrontational
Ask questions
Get help – through your supervisor and report the situation of your patients

17. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Emotional Impact of Aging: Physical / Emotional Impacts:
Depression:
Treatment / Management:
Research has shown that certain types of short term psychotherapy are effective treatments for late life depression
Combining psychotherapy and antidepressant treatments appears to provide maxims' benefits.

18. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
b. Emotional Impact of Aging