Mental Health in Older Adults
A person-centered view recognizes the many dimensions of health, including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual well-being. May 11 marks the 6th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day, a time to reflect on the mental health needs of older adults.
The CDC promotes mental health as “an increasingly important part of the public health mission.” They suggest that concerns with mental health “must be recognized and treated…with the same urgency as physical health.”
Depression, anxiety in older adults
As we age, many people experience risk factors for psychological well-being. Consider the impact of chronic illness, functional decline, loss of social support, and isolation—any of which can be at play.
One in five adults over age 55 experiences “some type of mental health concern,” says the CDC—including anxiety or depression. Yet “behavioral health needs of older adults are often not identified or addressed,” observe Fleet et al.
Depression not only causes suffering; it impairs a person’s ability to function. What’s more, it has a negative impact on other chronic illnesses. It is also associated with more medications overall, more emergency room visits, and longer hospital stays. “Mental health comorbidities within older populations shorten their lifespans and have high costs to families, health systems, and society,” conclude Fleet et al.
Symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, trouble sleeping, physical discomfort, and feeling “slowed down,” explains the CDC. Depression can present symptoms similar to some dementia symptoms and “can be an early warning sign of dementia,” suggest Fleet et al. (Learn more about how depression and dementia can be related.) Depression in later years is not a normal aspect of aging, and it can usually be treated successfully, according to the CDC.
Anxiety in late life is also common, according to CDC survey data. It accompanies depression in about 50% of cases. Nevertheless, many people don’t report anxiety symptoms to health professionals, says the CDC, so it may be under-recognized. It’s not unusual for anxiety to present as physical complaints.
Improving behavioral health care
There are some barriers to mental health care for older adults, including stigma around mental health conditions and lack of awareness about treatment options, say Fleet et al. There is also a lack of geriatric psychologists and practitioners. Poor coordination of care is an issue, as behavioral health is not often integrated into overall healthcare service models.
A more holistic, person-centered approach is needed, suggest Fleet et al. “Older adults with complex medical needs, such as those with serious medical illness or multiple chronic conditions, are in particularly high need of integrated approaches that address the complex interactions between medical and physical comorbidities,” they note.
Practitioners at GuideStar Eldercare provide nursing homes with integrated neurobehavioral services, including specially trained mental health experts, who assess and treat residents compassionately and holistically. The data are clear: many older adults experience suffering from mental health issues, and we can work together to ease their suffering and promote their safety, functionality, and dignity.