According to the World Health Organization, approximately 14% of people aged 60 and over have a psychiatric disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most common. Caring for this vulnerable population requires healthcare providers who are trained to recognize, and appropriately treat, the mental health needs of older adults.
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, students from the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Medicine, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, and Program in Public Health gathered together via Zoom in May 2024 to discuss mental health care for older adults in an event hosted by the UCI Geriatrics Interest Group. The UCI Geriatrics Interest Group is an interdisciplinary collective of students from throughout the UCI Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences who seek to educate themselves and others on the care of older adults.
“Older adults often face complex health issues, including cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety, which require careful and considerate management,” explained Roya Aminpour, who helped to coordinate the event along with fellow student pharmacist Nareh Norowuzi. “It is essential for pharmacy, medical, nursing, and public health students to be well-versed in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications in the elderly, since older adults are more susceptible to adverse drug reactions due to age-related physiological changes.”
Dr. Nana Entsuah-Boateng (Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor and Geriatric Clinical Pharmacist), Dr. Farah Khorassani (Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor and Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist), and Dr. Jonathan Watanabe (Founding Associate Dean of Pharmacy Assessment and Quality and Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Pharmacist) served as faculty experts on mental health care for older adults, presenting clinical and research perspectives.
“This event highlighted mental health considerations in caring for older adults and opportunities for future clinicians to get more involved in improving geriatric mental health outcomes.” shared Dr. Entsuah-Boateng.
Event participants discussed topics such as the prevalence of anxiety and depression among older adults, early detection and intervention, potentially inappropriate medications, medication interactions, and the importance of carefully creating treatment plans that consider the nuances of geriatric care.
“I was determined to raise awareness about the unique mental health needs of the geriatric population,” said Aminpour. “As future healthcare professionals, we can significantly improve the quality of life for older adults, ensuring they receive the most effective, safest treatments.”
