Under-Recognized and Under-Treated
Older Adults and Mental Health
Depression is not a normal part of aging. Yet depression is a widely under-recognized and undertreated medical illness in older adults.
Depression often occurs with other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Untreated depression can delay recovery or worsen the outcome of these other illnesses. This can increase the cost of health care. In fact, a 2009 study demonstrated that Medicare participants who have diabetes or congestive heart failure as well as depression have more than 50 percent higher health care costs than their counterparts who do not have co-existing depression.
Because many older adults face these illnesses while experiencing various social and economic difficulties, health care professionals may mistakenly conclude that depression is a normal consequence of these problems. Doctors spend little time discussing mental health issues with their older patients and rarely refer them to a mental health specialist even if they show symptoms of severe depression, according to an NIMH-funded study published in 2007. These factors together contribute to the under-diagnosis and under-treatment of depressive disorders in older people.
 |
Unfortunately, many older adults fail to acknowledge the importance of mental health in their lives. A Mental Health America survey on attitudes and beliefs about clinical depression found that:
- Only 38 percent of adults aged 65 and over believe that depression is a “health” problem
- If suffering from depression, older adults are more likely than any other group to “handle it themselves,” and only 42 percent would seek help from a health professional
- About 58 percent of people aged 65 and older believe that it is “normal” for people to get depressed as they grow older
Maintaining mental wellness, enlisting the help of others when you need it and surrounding yourself with a supportive, healthy environment are essential in today’s modern, on-the-go world. Spending time with family and loved ones, engaging in new activities and volunteering are just a few of the ways you can relieve stress and cope with everyday life. For even more ideas, read “Ten Tips for Improving the Mental Health of Older Adults” at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/olderadults/10tips.
Resources: National Institute of Mental Health; www.nimh.nih.gov Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association); www.mentalhealthamerica.net