What is most fascinating about the aging brain? in elderly
Sample Solution
It is also worth noting that while memory deficits are common among elderly adults they tend to be more pronounced when it comes to explicit (declarative) memories rather than implicit (procedural) ones; meaning that while an older person may forget a list of facts they recently read, their motor skills such as how to ride a bike or drive remain relatively intact due its reliance on implicit memory which relies less on hippocampus-based processes involved with learning and recall . This means that regardless of age , one’s ability draw upon existing knowledge (often referred ‘crystallized intelligence’ ) remains largely unaffected by the aging process allowing them continue live life normally despite significant losses elsewhere .
Finally , another interesting phenomenon seen amongst elderly adults involves plasticity whereby certain areas of the brain become more reliant on other regions those found typically used for certain functions . For example , studies show that older individuals often rely heavily task-specific regions their frontal lobes for working memory tasks thus circumventing any decline might have been observed if only relying upon previously active networks associated with this type activity . Taken together , these findings suggest there remarkable adaptive capacities amongst elderly brains which should not be discounted when considering how best serve this demographic going forward . Substance abuse can also play a role by exacerbating an individual’s mental health struggles and making it more difficult for them to access the help they need. Finally, social support (or lack thereof) is another important factor as individuals with strong social networks are less likely to become isolated which is a key risk factor for suicide.
The authors then discuss potential interventions that could be used in order to reduce suicide risk among veterans. These include providing adequate screening and assessment when veterans enter into treatment programs, focusing on addressing all three contributing factors (i.e., mental illness, substance abuse and social support), as well as developing better treatment options specifically tailored towards helping veterans cope with their unique set of challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also suggest that more research should be done on different interventions in order to determine which ones work best for this population.
Overall, this article highlights the importance of understanding the complex relationship between mental illness, substance abuse and social support when assessing suicide risk among veterans. It also provides insight into potential interventions that could be used to reduce these risks including providing comprehensive assessment services upon entry into treatment facilities, focusing on addressing all three contributing factors together and developing specialized treatments tailored towards helping veterans deal with PTSD or other issues related to their service experiences.
Sample Solution
It is also worth noting that while memory deficits are common among elderly adults they tend to be more pronounced when it comes to explicit (declarative) memories rather than implicit (procedural) ones; meaning that while an older person may forget a list of facts they recently read, their motor skills such as how to ride a bike or drive remain relatively intact due its reliance on implicit memory which relies less on hippocampus-based processes involved with learning and recall . This means that regardless of age , one’s ability draw upon existing knowledge (often referred ‘crystallized intelligence’ ) remains largely unaffected by the aging process allowing them continue live life normally despite significant losses elsewhere .
Finally , another interesting phenomenon seen amongst elderly adults involves plasticity whereby certain areas of the brain become more reliant on other regions those found typically used for certain functions . For example , studies show that older individuals often rely heavily task-specific regions their frontal lobes for working memory tasks thus circumventing any decline might have been observed if only relying upon previously active networks associated with this type activity . Taken together , these findings suggest there remarkable adaptive capacities amongst elderly brains which should not be discounted when considering how best serve this demographic going forward . Substance abuse can also play a role by exacerbating an individual’s mental health struggles and making it more difficult for them to access the help they need. Finally, social support (or lack thereof) is another important factor as individuals with strong social networks are less likely to become isolated which is a key risk factor for suicide.
The authors then discuss potential interventions that could be used in order to reduce suicide risk among veterans. These include providing adequate screening and assessment when veterans enter into treatment programs, focusing on addressing all three contributing factors (i.e., mental illness, substance abuse and social support), as well as developing better treatment options specifically tailored towards helping veterans cope with their unique set of challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also suggest that more research should be done on different interventions in order to determine which ones work best for this population.
Overall, this article highlights the importance of understanding the complex relationship between mental illness, substance abuse and social support when assessing suicide risk among veterans. It also provides insight into potential interventions that could be used to reduce these risks including providing comprehensive assessment services upon entry into treatment facilities, focusing on addressing all three contributing factors together and developing specialized treatments tailored towards helping veterans deal with PTSD or other issues related to their service experiences.