Psychological Factors in Ageing

Good Practice

Although physiotherapy is a profession concerned with identifying and maximising movement potential through education training and rehabilitation, it aims to promote the well being and autonomy of people with a physical dysfunction associated with mental and physical illness. The profession uses a holistic person centred approach to influence the psychological health of individuals regardless of age.

Mental state and physical performance
There is a relationship between mental state and physical performance; e.g. when we respond to a situation with a physical reaction, concentrate on a task and try not to let our nerves get the better of us, or simply do a job where we are under a certain amount of stress/pressure.
The ability to relax mentally and physically is of great benefit to those subjected to worries and anxieties during the course of everyday life. Occasionally, these problems need to be dealt with by someone other than the person him/herself. On the whole, exercise increases general well-being, renewing mental energy and drive, which is where the expertise of physiotherapist is most beneficial. 

The four major pathological conditions in the older population are:
 Acute confusional state (Delirium). Characteristically occurs over hours or days, usually accompanied by acute physical illness. Levels of alertness fluctuate, being worse at night, with lucid spells during the day, although the person can be disorientated to time and place. They may be fearful, irritable and aggressive. Paranoid ideas are common as are visual and auditory hallucinations. Symptoms generally resolve when the underlying cause is treated.
 Depression, characterised by abnormally lowered mood may develop over weeks or months. The signs include loss of interest in life, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene plus expression of recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideas. Concentration levels are low, decisions difficult to make as are the carrying out of daily tasks. The person may complain of multiple physical symptoms, sleep (insomnia or hypersomnia) and appetite also become affected with a resultant decrease in energy.
 Paraphrenia is not universally accepted as a distinct syndrome. The person is often female, lives alone, and has evidence of difficult social interactions earlier in life. They report of plots against them, focusing on family members, which are persistent, extreme, and elaborate. Usually, cognitive impairment is not present, but a hearing impairment is common. Although the person is physically independent (diet and hygiene are rarely compromised), social functioning and cooperation with staff members are greatly impaired.
 Dementia is an umbrella term used for signs and symptoms characterised by a generalised and irredeemable impairment of intellect, memory and personality. The decline is permanent and progressive. The three most common types of dementia are:
o Alzheimer’s disease: a neurodegenerative disorder with generalised brain cell loss, especially in the cortex, plus extracellular plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. It has a progressive unremitting course with widespread loss of function and abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is slightly more common in women than in men.
o Vascular dementia: small or large vascular lesions cause focal damage in the brain with resultant focal neurological signs. Stepwise deterioration in cognitive and physical function occurs. It is more common in men than in women, and there is usually past history of cardiovascular pathology (e.g. hypertension).
o Lewy Body dementia: presents with a very different patterns of symptoms including clouding of consciousness, paranoid delusions, complex visual hallucinations, falls, depressive symptoms and auditory hallucinations.

As people get older there is an increased likelihood of them experiencing bereavement. Most come through the experience without the need for professional help, but for some there are longer lasting detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This may leave someone in a pattern of grief and mourning, experience some or all of the following:
An initial experience of numbness (sense of isolation, withdrawal, loss of appetite) and denial (constant reminiscing, expects the return).
In the first 3 months it could be anxiety (sense of insecurity, often irrational fears), anger (‘why me’), pain, guilt (self-recrimination)
From 3 months onwards, depression is more likely, exacerbating existing personality problems, apathy (neglects own best interests, lack of will) and possible a loss of identity
For the first year or more we should expect acceptance (can settle into new circumstances, loss no longer felt as an appalling tragedy) and healing when equilibrium is regained. The depression may continue in older people, and if severe is a suicide risk that needs recognition and treatment. Liaison with clinical psychologist, community psychiatric nurse, GP or other mental health professionals is appropriate.

Consider the psychological factor of adjustment to physiological change that has left a disability, e.g. a stroke. It may mean lifestyle changes such as having a bed downstairs, leading to loss of privacy, or having to give up driving, leading to isolation. A major disability may also alter the person's position or status within the family, for example, a change from being a carer to being cared for may lead to low esteem. Healthcare professionals may sometimes overlook the acceptance of these changes as the priority is normally to deal with the physical disability. If the physiotherapist has knowledge of the possible psychological consequences they can refer on to colleagues and ensure a holistic approach to person-centred care is maintained. Occasionally however, the effects of mental health problems can be such that they hinder and limit a person’s participation and progression with physiotherapy, and a different course of management must be sought.

Discussion Point

For most of us who are in a general setting, dealing with complex emotions in rehabilitation is vital, as many factors will affect involvement and participation with treatment. The range of patients you will see encompasses people with anxieties born of their pathologies of a non-organic nature; e.g. someone with osteoporosis with a great fear of moving in case they fall and fracture a bone.
How would your response differ to a patient who has anxiety centred on falling, compared to a person with dementia and anxiety about walking outside?