Approach to mental health of older persons at the first level of care: a psychogerontological vision

Introduction: Psychogerontological care is a current challenge in international health systems. This is due to the fact that affective and cognitive disorders are the most common conditions that older people have; being potential risk factors for health and quality of life. Objective: The objective of this article is to design a clinical care protocol for the psychogerontological approach of cognitive and psycho-affective alterations in older people who attend a mental health care center at the first level of care. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 18 elderly people attended twice a week in the psychogerontology consultation, in the period from August 2018 to November 2019. To do this, the initial interview and the application of the Yes avage Test of Geriatric depression, the Folstein Minimental Test and MOCA test to identify behavioral, psycho-affective and cognitive alterations. Subsequently, the results of both standardized instruments for geriatric population were interpreted. Thus, it allows to know the needs of psychogerontological care for the research and design of care models. Results: 93% of the elderly are female, with an average age of 75 years. 100% of older people had mild stage depression and 46.6% mild cognitive impairment. Discussion: Given the results identified, a protocol of psychogerontological care is proposed that comprehensively addresses older people, through cognitive psycho stimulation techniques, problem-solving therapy and the integration of mutual help therapeutic groups. Conclusions: Psychogerontological care is an effective strategy that will improve the quality of life of older people with depression and cognitive disorders. Consequently, it will provide specialized guidance for the proper approach by family members, caregivers and health professionals.