Mentation: Depression, Dementia, and Delirium
This webpage focuses on preventing, identifying, treating, and managing depression, dementia, and delirium across care settings. Links to various resources are provided.
Included are downloadable PDF fact sheets / handouts created by REACH in both English and Spanish:
1. "Mental and Emotional Health" handout for patients and care partners on how to identify signs and symptoms of depression and provides possible treatment options.
Introduction to Ageism and the Importance of Overcoming It
Aging is a natural and lifelong process that enriches individuals with wisdom, experience, and resilience. It means that we get to continue to be alive! Yet, despite the many impactful contributions older adults make to society, ageism—discrimination and stereotyping based on age—remains a widespread issue. Ageist attitudes, often fueled by judgements we are not even aware of, shape policies, our workplaces, and healthcare practices, negatively impacting the well-being of older individuals.
Be Prepared for Emergent Situations Involving Persons with Dementia
People living with dementia interact with the world differently and can experience memory loss, mood swings, and confusion. In emergency situations, how first responders and care partners interact with them can help de-escalate an already stressful situation. These training videos were created for first responders, care partners, and other professionals to show how to use de-escalation and communication strategies with persons living with dementia. They also share tips and resources to reduce recurring incidents. Viewers can start with the introduction video and then choose a scenario.
Sixth Annual Dementia-Friendly Healthcare and Community Symposium
The Sixth Annual Dementia-Friendly Healthcare and Community Symposium was held on May 21, 2025 by the Florida State University REACH, University of Louisville, and University of North Dakota Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Programs. The sixth annual joint conference explored a number of timely issues impacting the care of older adults. This one-day event included presentations on the 5Ms (mentation, medication, mobility, what matters most, and multi-complexity) as they relate to dementia.
Presentations and videos available for viewing:
Fourth Annual Re-envisioning Elder Care Conference
The Fourth Annual Re-envisioning Elder Care Conference was held on September 8, 2023 by the Florida Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Programs at Florida State and Nova Southeastern Universities. The joint conference explored a number of timely issues impacting the care of older adults.
Third Annual Re-envisioning Elder Care Conference
The Third Annual Re-envisioning Elder Care Conference was held on September 9, 2022 by the Florida Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Programs at Florida State and Nova Southeastern Universities. This joint conference explored a number of timely issues impacting the care of older adults. Our discussions focused on topics ranging from strengthening the eldercare workforce, newer financing initiatives to supplement Medicare, ensuring diversity and equity in long-term care, and a review of the newly released report on “National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality.”
Mobility in Older Adults
Staying active is an important piece of staying healthy. Learn more about how to maintain mobility and prevent falls so that you can stay active. This webpage provides links to downloadable PDFs of the following fact sheets:
-Maintaining Safe Mobility (English and Spanish)
-Preventing Falls: Tips for Older Adults and Caregivers
-Health In Aging’s tip sheet on walking
-Cane vs. Walker: What’s Better for Me?
-Preventing eye diseases as you get older
Medications in Older Persons
If medications are necessary, this M focuses on using age-friendly medications that do not affect a person’s care goals, their mobility, and their mentation. Many older adults are on 5 or more prescription medications. This can be difficult to manage, expensive, and increases the risk of harmful side effects or drug interactions. It is important for providers to be aware of polypharmacy, or more medications than are clinically necessary, for their older patients.
UPSLIDE Friends Connection Guide
Utilizing and Promoting Social Engagement for Loneliness, Isolation, & Depression in the Elderly (UPSLIDE) is a Tallahassee Senior Center program that has won two awards for its work in helping adults age 50 and older become and stay socially engaged. UPSLIDE hosts Friends Connection chat groups which provide a welcoming community of support and social interaction in a fun, relaxed and creative environment. UPSLIDE also offers assessment visits, individual counseling, social engagement support, transportation, technology & resource assistance.
Flip The Script on Pain
Flip the Script aims to empower people, especially older adults, to speak up about pain. By learning more about pain and how to manage it, patients and families can stay hopeful and feel confident in working with their health care team to develop a plan for the best relief.