Question 1

Which statement is True concerning the development of bipolar disorder among older adults?

Accepted Answer

Medical factors, such as neurological disorders or medication side effects, are often associated with the late-life onset of bipolar disorder, rather than genetic factors.

Question 2

A mood disorder that occurs in the context of cerebrovascular disease is known as

Accepted Answer

Vascular depression is a specific mood disorder that can occur as a result of cerebrovascular disease. It is characterized by depressive symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and sleep, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

Question 3

Medical problems are more common as people age. What issue does this raise for physicians and therapists who care for aging patients?

Accepted Answer

As people age, they are more likely to experience medical problems, and many of these medical problems can create symptoms that appear similar to psychological disorders. This can make it difficult for physicians and therapists to accurately diagnose and treat their aging patients. It is important for healthcare professionals to consider both medical and psychological factors when providing care for elderly patients.

Question 4

____________ is the tendency to attribute a multitude of problems to advancing age.

Accepted Answer

Ageism is the tendency to attribute a multitude of problems to advancing age, including physical, mental, and social decline. Adultism refers to the assumption that adults are always superior to young people, while geropsychology is a field of psychology that focuses on the mental health and well-being of older adults. Chronocentrism refers to the belief that one's own time period is superior to all others.

Question 5

According to the text, which two psychological disorders are most common among older adults?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "the most common psychological disorders among older adults are depression and anxiety." None of the other options are mentioned in the text as being the most common.

Question 6

Depression among older people often includes cognitive difficulties such as problems with attention, speed of information processing, and ___________________.

Accepted Answer

Executive dysfunction is a common cognitive difficulty experienced by older people with depression. This includes problems with decision-making, planning, multitasking, and inhibition. It is a result of dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for executive functions.

Question 7

Compared with younger adults, older adults typically report a

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that as we age, we become less likely to report negative mood and more likely to focus on physical symptoms such as physical pain or discomfort. This shift in focus may be due to the increased prevalence of physical health problems in older age.

Question 8

Lily is a 71-year-old woman who recently suffered a minor stroke with no permanent physical or cognitive impairments. Within a week after the stroke, Lily who is normally an outgoing and energetic person, started to withdraw from family and friends and lost interest in most of her hobbies. Her movements became extremely sluggish. Lily's family finally insisted that she see her doctor when it became increasingly difficult for her to name objects/people and her speech became less fluent. Given this information, Lily may be suffering from

Accepted Answer

Lily's symptoms, such as withdrawing from activities, sluggish movements, difficulty with naming objects and people, and less fluent speech, suggest that she is experiencing depression after her minor stroke. This type of depression is known as vascular depression because it is linked to changes in the brain's blood supply. Pseudodementia is a term used to describe depression that mimics dementia, but since Lily is experiencing physical symptoms, it is not considered pseudodementia. While vascular dementia and multi-infarct dementia are both types of dementia, Lily has not exhibited enough symptoms to suggest a diagnosis of either.

Question 9

Although few adults develop bipolar disorder after the age of 65, when it does occur, the intervals between manic and depressive periods are __________ and the episodes are____________ than in younger adults.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although few adults develop bipolar disorder after...

Question 10

Regarding the relationship between depression and race/ethnicity among the Canadian elderly, research shows:

Accepted Answer

Research in Canada on the relationship between depression and race/ethnicity among the elderly is limited, and very little is known.

Question 11

____________ focuses on the unique challenges (e.g., physical changes, lifestyle shifts, and role changes) and psychological symptoms faced by older adults.

Accepted Answer

Geropsychology specifically focuses on the psychological issues faced by older adults, including the challenges and changes associated with aging. Geriatrics is a broader field that focuses on the medical and social aspects of aging, while geriatric neuroscience and geriatric psychiatry focus on the neurological and psychiatric aspects, respectively.

Question 12

As compared to the suicide rate among young adults with depression, the suicide rate among depressed older adults:

Accepted Answer

The answer of As compared to the suicide rate among...

Question 13

Although there is not yet a consistent definition of the term "successful aging," researchers have identified several common themes, including

Accepted Answer

The common themes identified by researchers for successful aging include absence of cognitive impairments, perceived good health and an active lifestyle, and positive social relationships. Factors such as higher level of education and financial security may contribute to successful aging, but they are not necessarily essential components. Similarly, the presence of a spouse/significant other and spirituality may enhance successful aging, but they are not universally necessary.

Question 14

In Canada, about 20% of people ages 65 years and older have a psychological disorder. Approximately _____% of these individuals receive treatment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Canada, about 20% of people ages...

Question 15

Reasons why older adults do not seek mental health treatment include

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reasons why older adults do not seek...

Question 16

As is True of younger adults, depressive disorders among older people occur more often in _____________.

Accepted Answer

Depressive disorders among older people occur more often in women than in men, which is consistent with the overall gender pattern of depression.

Question 17

In the general population of older adults, prevalence rates for depressive disorders are between

Accepted Answer

The prevalence rates for depressive disorders among older adults in the general population are estimated to be between 4% and 10%. This range accounts for various forms of depression, including major depressive disorder and minor depression, recognizing the impact of these conditions on the aging population.

Question 18

A theoretical model that suggests that people age more successfully when they modify their goals and choices to make best use of their personal characteristics is known as selective

Accepted Answer

The theoretical model that suggests that people age more successfully when they modify their goals and choices to make best use of their personal characteristics is known as selective optimization and compensation. This model proposes that individuals selectively choose activities that are important to them, optimize their performance in those activities, and compensate for any declines in their abilities by finding alternative ways to achieve their goals. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Question 19

Older adults who DO seek out mental health treatment usually go to

Accepted Answer

Older adults often prefer to seek help for mental health issues from their primary care physician rather than from mental health professionals or other sources. This is because they tend to have established relationships with their primary care physicians, who often serve as their first point of contact for both physical and mental health concerns.

Question 20

Alzheimer's patients are diagnosed with depression when the symptoms of the depression have been present for at least

Accepted Answer

In the diagnosis of depression, including among Alzheimer's patients, the standard duration for symptoms to be present is at least 2 weeks according to DSM-5 criteria.

Quiz 13: Aging and Neurocognitive Disorders