MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

Progression Development in Mental Health Nursing

Progression Development in Mental Health Nursing

Introduction

People living with Alzheimer's or other dementias often have mental health problems -- especially depression and anxiety disorders -- as well as dementia. Memories they have always relied on become hazy and uncertain. Knowledge and skills cultivated over a lifetime diminish. Relationships change or are lost. Ordinary activities at work, home or leisure become difficult. Eventually, other people may be needed to help manage finances, make plans, get back and forth from home, eat, stay clean or go to the bathroom. As these sources of identity, personal pride and satisfaction are lost, people with dementia can become deeply sad, fearful and/or angry. Sometimes their behavior becomes a challenge for people who care for them.

In this paper, we will be discussing the Progression development and assessment in mental health nursing . In addition, we will also be discussing assessment strategies, planning and implementing mental health assessments, appropriate documentation recording skills, appropriate referral skills, and risk assessment in mental health. A concluding statement will be made to signify the importance of mental health for human beings (Wright, 2000).

Mental Health Needs of People With Dementia

Some argue that there should be one and only one priority -- investing in research to discover a cure for Alzheimer's or at least to invent medications to stop the ineluctable decline the disease brings with it. For example, in an editorial in Alzheimer's and Dementia, Zaven Khachaturian of the Campaign to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by 2020 argues, "Ultimately, the only deliverable that counts is a credible plan of action that calls for significant and systematic increases in the allocation of resources and funds for Alzheimer's research... particularly in the discovery and development of interventions to prevent disability. There of us believe that, however promising biomedical research is, it will probably not bring relief in time for the 5.4 million Americans who already have dementia or for the additional five to six million people who will develop dementia over the next two decades. Researchers believe that humane care to help them have the best possible quality of life is the critical goal. Researchers see this not as competing with biomedical research but as work that is necessary in addition to it.

But even among those of us who are focused on the need for more humane and more effective services and supports, there is some dispute about the importance of mental health services. In part, this is the result of an outmoded view about the separation of mind and body. Dementia has physical roots with mental manifestations. Many advocates for better Alzheimer's care and treatment focus on the physical roots and do not regard dementia as a mental health condition. Others of us believe that mind and body are inextricably intertwined and that both physical and mental health perspectives and interventions are needed to help people with dementia and their families to have the best possible quality of ...