CFG Aging Process & Psychological Aspects 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which psychological intervention has the strongest evidence base for treating late-life anxiety disorders?
- Psychoanalytic free association therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) adapted for older adults (Correct answer)
- Reminiscence therapy focusing on positive memories
- Supportive counseling without structured techniques
Correct answer: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) adapted for older adults
CBT adapted for older adults — with modifications for sensory and cognitive changes — demonstrates robust evidence for reducing anxiety in geriatric populations.
Question 2: An 82-year-old client suddenly changes her estate plan to leave everything to a new 'friend' she met recently, contradicting lifelong wishes. A CFG should FIRST:
- Respect client autonomy and process the paperwork immediately
- Assess for cognitive impairment and signs of undue influence before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Contact adult protective services to report suspected elder abuse
- Refer the client to an estate attorney without further inquiry
Correct answer: Assess for cognitive impairment and signs of undue influence before proceeding
Sudden unexplained changes in financial decisions — especially favoring a new acquaintance — are red flags requiring cognitive and undue influence screening before taking action.
Question 3: Which theory of aging proposes that individuals age most successfully when they remain active and engaged in social roles?
- Disengagement Theory
- Activity Theory (Correct answer)
- Continuity Theory
- Selective Optimization with Compensation
Correct answer: Activity Theory
Activity Theory, contrasting with Disengagement Theory, holds that maintaining social activity and roles is central to life satisfaction and successful aging.
Question 4: The physiological process of 'cellular senescence' contributes to aging primarily by:
- Accelerating synaptic pruning in the prefrontal cortex
- Causing cells to stop dividing and release inflammatory signals (Correct answer)
- Reducing mitochondrial energy production exclusively in muscle tissue
- Triggering programmed apoptosis in neurons at a fixed age
Correct answer: Causing cells to stop dividing and release inflammatory signals
Senescent cells permanently exit the cell cycle and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines (SASP), contributing to tissue dysfunction and age-related diseases.
Question 5: Which statement about elder suicide risk is MOST accurate?
- Older adults attempt suicide more often than younger adults but are less lethal
- White men over age 85 have among the highest suicide completion rates in the US (Correct answer)
- Suicide ideation in older adults is almost always related to financial stress
- Depression screening tools are too insensitive to detect suicide risk in elderly patients
Correct answer: White men over age 85 have among the highest suicide completion rates in the US
Older White men have disproportionately high completed suicide rates, partly because they use more lethal methods and are less likely to seek mental health care.
Question 6: A CFG client, age 74, reports feeling that life has been meaningless and is overwhelmed by regrets. According to Erikson, this reflects failure to achieve:
- Generativity
- Ego integrity (Correct answer)
- Intimacy
- Industry
Correct answer: Ego integrity
Ego integrity — acceptance and meaning-making about one's life — is the developmental task of late life; failure results in despair, regret, and a sense of meaninglessness.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST describes the difference between delirium and dementia in older adults?
- Delirium is chronic and progressive; dementia is acute and reversible
- Delirium has acute onset with fluctuating consciousness; dementia is gradual and progressive (Correct answer)
- Dementia always causes hallucinations; delirium does not affect perception
- Both conditions are irreversible but delirium responds to antipsychotics
Correct answer: Delirium has acute onset with fluctuating consciousness; dementia is gradual and progressive
Delirium is a medical emergency characterized by rapid onset, fluctuating awareness, and altered attention, while dementia develops slowly over months to years.
CFG Aging Process & Psychological Aspects 5
Which psychological intervention has the strongest evidence base for treating late-life anxiety disorders?