Caring for the elderly

Second row, sixth from left: Aiman, Prof Sherina and Dr Nadia with the participants

A workshop called “Cognitive and affective disorders among institutionalized elderly” was organised by the Centre for Research of Non-Communicable Diseases on 4 January 2019 at Sungai Long Campus.

The objectives of the event were to provide an overview of the results of the UTARSF study on cognitive and affective disorders among institutionalised elderly within Klang Valley and also to promote awareness of the different methods to combat depression among the elderly. Apart from that, the workshop also introduced the elderly to Mini-Cog Assessment which is used as a way to screen for cognitive impairment as well as the Patient Health Questionaire-2 to screen for depression.

Present at the workshop were Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Department of Psychiatry-cum-Cancer Resource and Education Centre Deputy Director Prof Dr Sherina Mohd Sidik, AimanPsikologis.com Founder Aiman Amri, UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Science Dr Nadia Mohamad Hatta, lecturers, students and public.

Prof Sherina interacting with the participants

Prof Sherina presented her talk titled, “Causes of Depression and Dementia among the Elderly” and spoke about the prevalence of depression among elderly in the rural and suburban area, the causes of depression, dementia and its causes, and ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. “Do something that would make you happy and cultivate the habit of doing daily exercises and eating healthy food. Aside from that, practise positive thinking, be grateful and patient and have social interaction,” advised Prof Sherina.  

Aiman explaining one of the methods to combat depression

“One in every three Malaysian is affected by any mental health problems and one in every ten has depression issues. Depression can be categorised into Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Depressive Psychosis, Postpartum Depression and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Women are more risky to have suicide intention but men are more risky to succeed in suicidal act,” said Aiman during his presentation on “Methods to Combat Depression”.

Dr Nadia presenting the research study

Dr Nadia presented a study titled, “Cognitive and Affective Disorder among the Elderly in Assisted Living Facilities in Klang Valley, Malaysia”. In the study, Dr Nadia introduced the participants to the concept of cognitive impairment, depression, Mini-cog questionnaire and the patient health questionnaire. She said, “It is important to keep your brain active and to retain your social contact. Possible intervention such as creating a guideline for proper care of the elderly, using technology to help decrease the incidence of cognitive impairment among elderly, using physical exercise to decrease the incidence of cognitive impairment and depression among elderly as well as frequent counselling for depressed elderly would be helpful.”

Participants completing the Mini-Cog questionnaire

Participants were introduced to various yet simple dance movements as a method to overcome depression