Treatment FAQ

what is the term for the view that aggressive treatment that is not nessisary for older adults

by Jamarcus Berge Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What are the disorders associated with aggressive behavior?

If the goal of aggressive treatment is to prevent bodily death, dialysis and intubation are not futile as they can achieve this goal. On the other hand, if the intention of aggressive treatment is to return Mrs. F. to independent living, or prevent her imminent death, dialysis and intubation serve no useful purpose and are futile.

What is an example of non aggressive behavior?

 · According to U.S. life expectancy statistics, a person who reaches age 80 can expect to live an average of 8.2 years (in men) and 9.7 years (in women). “The ‘80-plus’ population is an extremely heterogeneous group, ranging from healthy individuals to people with severe illness,” Tegn said. “The fact that many 80-year-olds have nearly ...

Are older adults more likely to be aggressive?

 · Aggressive behavior in some patients can be a tremendous challenge for clinicians who work in mental health. If nonpharmacological interventions fail, medication may be necessary. Research suggests that uncurbed aggressive behavior can rewire brain chemistry over time and lead to an increase in aggressive behavior.

How have nurses evolved to treat aggressive behavior?

 · Although clinicians and researchers have not yet reached a consensus, the most commonly used definitions are from the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. The inventory defines disruptive behavior on a spectrum of aggressive to nonaggressive, manifested either verbally or physically (Figure 1).

What is NSTEMI in medical terms?

The study focused on treatment approaches for older patients with non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI, a type of heart attack that is milder in the acute phase but has a poor prognosis after six months or more) or the closely-related condition unstable angina. Both conditions are caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries.

How much reduction in invasive procedures?

In the study, patients 80 years and older who received invasive procedures that are typically offered to younger patients to evaluate and correct narrowed arteries had a 47 percent reduction in the study’s primary endpoint, a combined measure of subsequent heart attacks, urgent revascularization procedures, stroke and death, as compared to similar patients who were treated using a more conservative approach.

How long can an 80 year old live?

According to U.S. life expectancy statistics, a person who reaches age 80 can expect to live an average of 8.2 years (in men) and 9.7 years (in women). “The ‘80-plus’ population is an extremely heterogeneous group, ranging from healthy individuals to people with severe illness,” Tegn said. “The fact that many 80-year-olds have nearly a decade of life ahead of them makes these results particularly noteworthy.”

How many people over 80 have angina?

It is estimated that as many as four out of five Americans over age 80 have at least one of a variety of conditions related to the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries. NSTEMI and unstable angina are often managed with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes and dietary changes in older people.

Why is it important to halt aggressive behavior?

Halting aggressive behavior before it harms the patient or another person is critical, especially with acute onset. Using medications to induce calm is generally considered less desirable than other methods of de-escalation but is often necessary to prevent injury.

Which antipsychotics are effective for calm?

Olanzapine (an atypical antipsychotic) also shows a significant effect on inducing calm. Midazolam (a benzodiazepine) and droperidol (antidopaminergic) have both been shown to be effective and cause a reduction in aggression quickly.

Why is it important to use medication to calm a patient?

Aggressive behavior in some patients can be a tremendous challenge for clinicians who work in mental health. If nonpharmacological interventions fail, medication may be necessary.

Can nonpharmacological interventions cause aggressive behavior?

If nonpharmacological interventions fail, medication may be necessary. Research suggests that uncurbed aggressive behavior can rewire brain chemistry over time and lead to an increase in aggressive behavior.

What is dementia aggression?

Dementia is characterized as a progressive and chronic decline in cognitive function, not limited to memory impairment, which significantly interferes with baseline daily functioning and frequently involves behavioral disturbances.

How to help dementia patients with agitation?

Sensory stimulation. It is challenging to provide proper stimulation for patients with dementia, and many support the theory that too little or too much stimulation is often an underlying source of agitation and disruptive behavior. Consequently, many studies have investigated the role of music, light and touch, with mixed results. A review of these interventions has found that, of the reported 25% to 54% improvement in agitated behavior, the results were statistically significant in only six of 20 trials. The study designs have been observational, so further studies are needed to confirm the benefits of these alternative interventions as a standard of care (Snowden et al., 2003).

What are the behavioral disturbances of dementia?

Both studies give caregivers and clinicians a framework of common behaviors to anticipate. More importantly, these studies suggest that behavioral disturbances are a central component of dementia and contribute significantly to morbidity. Various treatment modalities, including nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches, have been used in an attempt to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia.

What is nonpharmacologic intervention in dementia?

Nonpharmacologic interventions in patients with dementia are often focused on individualizing care and altering personal, behavioral or environmental factors that may contribute to inappropriate behaviors.

What is patient stimulation?

Patient stimulation is not restricted to the sensorium but can also be psychosocial or cognitive in nature. Psychomotor therapy is designed to help patients with dementia cope with changes associated with the disease process via psychosocial and cognitive stimulation, such as group activities and games.

What is a multidimensional behavioral model?

A multidimensional behavioral model was developed to assist clinicians and caregivers in understanding the modifiable and non-modifiable patient, caregiver and environmental factors that affect behavior (Figure 3). The patients' factors influence their predisposition and expression of unmet needs, and the caregivers' factors influence their perception and management of a behavioral disturbance. Use of this model allows differentiation of behaviors that are part of the dementia process from those that are exacerbated by other factors, ultimately aiding clinicians in developing a more effective individualized treatment plan (Braun and Kunik, 2004).

What are disruptive behaviors?

The inventory defines disruptive behavior on a spectrum of aggressive to nonaggressive, manifested either verbally or physically (Figure 1). Examples include verbally nonaggressive behavior, such as complaining or negativism, to more verbally aggressive behavior, such as cursing, screaming or verbalizing sexual advances. Physically nonaggressive behaviors include pacing, inappropriate disrobing or hoarding versus more physically aggressive behaviors, such as spitting, kicking, biting or hurting self or others (Cohen-Mansfield, 2000). Aggressive behaviors are of concern to caregivers because these behaviors often complicate daily care and make patient management difficult. However, behavioral disturbances are not limited to aggression but are often confounded by apathy, psychosis and depressive symptoms.

Why your decisions matter

In the past, doctors sometimes made decisions without talking with patients. Today, the situation is different. Your health care team wants to know your concerns and answer your questions. They also believe that you have the right to make your own decisions.

What to consider

Before making any treatment decisions, talk with your health care team about:

Your cancer treatment goals

Your cancer treatment goals depend on many factors. For example, the type of cancer and whether it has spread will factor into your goals.

If you and your family do not agree

Family members, friends, and caregivers might have different ideas about your treatment. They might want you to have more aggressive treatment. Or they might try to keep you from having certain treatments.

Cancer treatment options for older adults

You may have just one type of treatment or a combination of treatments. The main cancer treatments for people of all ages are:

Advanced cancer care

Advanced cancer is cancer that doctors cannot cure. It is also called end-stage cancer or terminal cancer. Even though your health care team cannot cure advanced cancer, they can treat it. And you can still have a good quality of life.

Questions to ask the health care team

After you learn about your treatment options and your general health, you might need more information. Consider asking your health care team the following:

What emotions did Izard believe were associated with?

Izard (1987) claimed to have found four infant facial expressions that he believed were associated with the basic emotions of anger/rage, enjoyment/joy, fear/terror, and interest/excitement. What instrument did he use to assess this?

What does Neisha's mother do when she wakes up?

While Neisha is sleeping, her mother puts a spot of makeup on her nose. When neisha wakes up, her mother places her in front of a mirror, and Neisha reaches and physically touches her own nose. This mean Neisha:

Is there a consistent factor that predicts who will abuse or not abuse a child?

WRONG: There is no consistent factors that predict who will abuse or not abuse a child.

What is aggressive behavior in nursing?

Aggressive behavior is the observable manifestation of aggression and is often associated with developmental transitions and a range of medical and psychiatric diagnoses across the lifespan. As healthcare professionals involved in the medical and psychosocial care of patients from birth through death, nurses frequently encounter—and may serve as—both victims and perpetrators of aggressive behavior in the workplace. While the nursing literature has continually reported research on prevention and treatment approaches, less emphasis has been given to understanding the etiology, including contextual precipitants of aggressive behavior. This paper provides a brief review of the biological, social, and environmental risk factors that purportedly give rise to aggressive behavior. Further, many researchers have focused specifically on aggressive behavior in adolescence and adulthood. Less attention has been given to understanding the etiology of such behavior in young children and older adults. This paper emphasizes the unique risk factors for aggressive behavior across the developmental spectrum, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and late life. Appreciation of the risk factors of aggressive behavior, and, in particular, how they relate to age-specific manifestations, can aid nurses in better design and implementation of prevention and treatment programs.

Why are elderly people aggressive?

Much of the research on aggressive behavior in older adults has been conducted on residents in nursing homes, likely due to the high prevalence of dementias in these populations. Aggressive behavior in nursing home residents may be directed towards other residents or caregivers ( Rosen et al., 2008; Zeller et al., 2009 ). Aggressive behavior directed toward caregivers or healthcare professionals tends to be precipitated by personal care-related events. Specifically, aiding with showers, baths, and toileting may be perceived by the patient as a violation of personal space and body ( Zeller et al., 2009 ). Behavioral disturbance is a common feature in dementia, often due to cognitive impairment, aphasia, agnosia, brain damage resulting in loss of inhibition and emotional dysregulation, and psychosocial difficulties. Patients experiencing difficulty verbally communicating their needs may display aggressive behaviors; thus, aggressive behavior may serve to protect themselves against actions they misperceive as threats ( Talerico & Evans, 2000 ).

What are the risk factors for aggressive behavior?

For example, in children, the brain is not fully developed and is highly vulnerable to effects from negative stimuli (toxins, emotional trauma, etc.). In older adults, degeneration of the brain (from drugs, injury, or disease) may be a risk factor for aggressive behavior. Given that nurses are involved in caring for patients across the life span, the ongoing dialogue about aggressive behavior, its etiologic and precipitating factors, as well as developmental manifestations is highly relevant in identifying, preventing, and treating symptoms. One of the unique characteristics of aggressive behavior that can make detection and treatment difficult is the variety of ways it can manifest across a person’s life span. In working with children and adolescents, nurses may be a part of the first-line of defense to help break this pattern and reduce aggressive behavior in later life ( Liu, 2004a; Liu & Wuerker 2005 ). We will explore the course of aggressive behavior throughout the life span below.

How does aggressive behavior affect children?

As aggressive children grow older and enter adolescence, they become at greater risk for anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior (Brown & Finkelfor, 1986; Lewis, 1992; Rosenberg & Rossman, 1998 ). Aggressive behavior casts a notable economic toll ( Barling, Rogers, & Kelloway, 2001; O’Leary-Kelly, Griffin, & Glew, 1996; Schat & Kelloway, 2000 ). The total financial cost of violence in the United States was estimated to be $70 billion per year, with $64.4 billion in lost productivity and $5.6 billion in medical care ( Corso, Mercy, Simon, Finkelstein, & Miller, 2007 ). While victims of aggressive behavior are at risk for psychological and emotional traumatic reactions as well as psychiatric disorders, such as panic attacks, phobias, and depression, aggressors also face negative consequences. This includes increased risk of legal punishment and, in some cases, imprisonment. In turn, the violent nature of the prison environment often further reinforces aggressive behavior in the offender, perpetuating a cycle that can be difficult to break.

What age group has the highest homicide rate?

From adolescence to adulthood, aggressive behavior may escalate into more serious and violent acts, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, and homicide. Young adults (ages 18–24 years) are reported to have the highest homicide rate (U.S. Department of Justice, 2007).

Why do teachers talk about aggression?

Teacher-led classroom discussions about aggressive behavior to facilitate open communication about aggression as a problem and make students more aware of its existence, possible triggers, and consequences.

How to reduce aggressive behavior in dementia?

Many preventive interventions have been proposed and tested to reduce aggressive behavior among persons with dementia. These include managing pain, including administering analgesics prior to personal care; knowing and honoring the resident as a person; communicating clearly, calmly and in a warm manner; explaining actions before performing them to reduce surprise or startle; involving the resident in performing self-care; staff consistency in assignments; avoiding use of restraints; and environmental stimulus control (e.g., providing lighting, reducing noise and confusion).

What is it called when you see something that is not real?

Hallucinations are imagined sensory experiences that can involve seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, or smelling things that are not truly there. Delusions are false perceptions that have no basis in reality. Both can range from harmless episodes to aggressive, even disturbing outbursts. Such symptoms—also known as psychosis—can emerge in all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Currently, 2.4 million people in the U.S. are thought to be battling dementia-related psychosis, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

How to manage psychosis without medication?

Managing Psychosis Without Medication. For people whose psychosis does not put anyone in danger, doctors might recommend that you make changes at home to help manage hallucinations and delusions. “I tell caregivers, ‘distract and redirect,’” Dr. Savica says.

Why do doctors prescribe antipsychotics?

Doctors use antipsychotic medication to treat psychosis if the psychotic symptoms are very distressing for your loved one—or dangerous for either of you. These drugs are a last resort because they come with a black box warning about the increased risk of death in older adults who take them.

How to help someone with hallucinations?

When your loved one is, for example, interacting with a hallucination, you should gently distract them and help shift their attention to something else. Here are other ways you can help reduce psychotic symptoms for your loved ones: Engage your loved one in regular activities, including exercise, music, arts, games.

Can you put a relative on medication for dementia?

You don’t want to put a relative with dementia on unnecessary medications—especially not antipsychotics that can bring serious risks and side effects, warns Rodolfo Savica, M.D., a neurologist who treats patients with dementia at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. If the delusions or hallucinations are not hurting you or your loved one, medicine might not be necessary, he adds.

Can paranoid delusions lead to violent behavior?

For example, a person with dementia may become violent with a caregiver they suspect of stealing or a spouse they suspect of infidelity.

Can you take antipsychotics for a short time?

But, an FDA analysis of its safety concluded that the benefits of this drug outweigh the risks. Like with other drugs in its class, people with delusions and hallucinations may only take it for a short time. “Antipsychotics are not at all a lifelong or long-term commitment,” Dr. Lantz says.

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