Understanding Mental Health

People with mental health conditions might advocate for medication and disease research. They may also push for advancements and educate the public about living with a mental health condition and the stigma that exists. Advocates put a human face to their conditions. They choose to put their time and energy into issues that matter most to them.

Today, there are many local and national organizations that advocate for people with serious mental health conditions. These groups educate the public and bring the truth to light—that people with mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, are equal and productive members of society.

Carers need to be aware of their own and their client’s non-verbal language as this is a form of communication.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
When treating an Alzheimer’s patient with medication, remember that it is administered for the benefit of the patient and not for staff convenience. The administration of medication should be tailored to the individual.

Carers should constantly be aiming to identify links between certain behaviors and medications. Carers should employ strategies that do not require medications. Medications can and should be considered when such strategies are ineffective or not effective enough.

RISKS & BENEFITS
Carers need to remember the importance of limiting the number of medications administered to patients and monitor which medications patients react well to and which ones they react poorly to.

It is important to provide medication in a slow and infrequent manner, because elderly people do not tolerate medications as well as younger people.

Avoid medications with undesirable side effects, those which can cause more confusion or sedation, or worsen a patient’s condition.