N212: Health Differences Across the Life Span 2

Health Differences Across the Lifespan 2 Study Guide therapist will work with the dietician to ensure the patient’s food and beverages are of the appropriate consistency. Dysphagia evaluations are often needed in patients with late-stage Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, or Parkinson’s disease. Reminiscing Therapy Also known as life review therapy, it is a form of treatment that can be used with individuals or groups in both home and institutional settings. The focus is to help people remember their pasts by sharing positive memories of life events. This helps to decrease present feelings of depression and enhance self-concept (self-esteem). It is particularly useful for elderly people who are experiencing depression as well as for older people with mild to moderate confusion. Relaxation Techniques Research has shown that when a person relaxes, certain physiologic responses take place. These include decreased heart rate, decreased respiratory rate, decreased blood pressure, and decreased muscle tension. This response helps to decrease overall stress and anxiety. Deep breathing and visualization are some techniques employed to help people relax. Biofeedback is a process where one learns to control their own autonomic responses by monitoring vital signs in response to relaxation efforts. Relaxation therapy can be particularly useful in patients with panic disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. Remotivation Therapy This is a type of group therapy designed to help re-socialize people who are apathetic and have regressive behaviors. The goal is to draw patients out of a regressed and apathetic state and help them to appreciate the present state of reality. The use of objects or props that the patients can see, touch, smell, hear, and taste helps patients face the present reality of the object and perhaps stimulate past pleasant experiences associated with the object. Cognitive Therapy This therapy is based on the assumption that people’s behaviors are a response to their perception of the world around them. The purpose is to help patients identify their feelings, attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs and thereby challenge unhealthy or maladaptive self-appraisal and begin to view themselves realistically. Think of an anorexic person who is obsessed with the cultural norm of slimness. With cognitive therapy, she might come to view herself as being of perfectly normal weight and seeing the idea of her obsession as causing detrimental health to herself. Reality Orientation The purpose of reality orientation is to verbally or visually reorient people to reality by reminding them about things that they keep forgetting, such as the current day, month, year, and names of loved ones. Memory aides include pictures, clocks, and calendars. Reality orientation often works well in the early stages of dementia when people have minimal cognitive impairment. ©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 35 of 140