Recent mental health center The briefing documents evidence about the mental health of older people in England and the types of support they receive.
About research
To better understand the current mental health status of older people living in the UK, Age UK commissioned a similar survey from mental health centers. As part of this work, research was carried out to better understand the mental health of older people in the UK. The types of support these people receive and the policies developed to improve their mental health were analysed.
The review highlighted that little research has been done and little policy has been developed to support people's mental health in later life. This review focused on publications and policies regarding the mental health of older adults over the past 5 years. When insufficient evidence was available for a particular aspect, older literature was searched. This approach helped fill in the gaps as much as possible.
We found significant differences in the number of studies on mental health in young and older adults. It has been observed that in the past five years, scientists have mainly conducted research on dementia and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Elderly people and mental health
The conference revealed that the UK's population is aging rapidly. Compared to the population as a whole, for older adults, mental health has a greater impact on life satisfaction than physical health. A US-based study of older adults found that independence was more important than staying alive or pain relief. The majority of research prioritizes the health of older adults to improve their quality of life. These studies show that although mental health is important for improving the quality of life of older age groups, it is not prioritized and equally valued.
It has been observed that the majority of older people in the UK, particularly those aged over 65, experience significant anxiety and low mood. Approximately 25% of people over the age of 65 and 40% of those over the age of 85 experience depression in nursing homes. It has been reported that one in ten people over the age of 75 has been diagnosed with clinical depression.
In 2018, the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry and the Royal College of Psychiatrists highlighted the rise in hospital admissions for drug and alcohol abuse in older people. These people were found to be particularly susceptible to developing mental health problems and requiring care in nursing homes. Older people with dementia, poverty, and belonging to minority communities and immigrants are at higher risk of poor mental health.
Factors that increase mental health problems in later life
Mental health problems in later life are complicated by age-specific risk factors such as loneliness and multimorbidity. In addition to age-related frailty, poverty, exposure to past traumatic events, and racism also contribute to mental health problems later in life. Food insecurity, bereavement, and disability can also lead to the development of mental health conditions.
A significant proportion of older adults develop long-term diseases (such as diabetes) and neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease), increasing the burden of treatment and increasing the risk of adverse interactions between different drugs. Neuroinflammation can cause chronic pain and depression.
Interestingly, research shows that people in certain demographics have more severe mental health problems, which may be due to inadequate mental health services. Older people living in care homes are also more likely to develop depression, anxiety and neurodegenerative diseases.
How can we protect older adults from harmful mental health conditions?
One factor that may help prevent mental health problems in older adults is positive relationships. This could include family, friends, community groups, and social networks. Additionally, having meaningful options to work and volunteer opportunities beyond retirement age can help prevent poor mental health. It is important for this group of individuals to have a sense of purpose and control over their life choices.
In most cases, awareness and openness to treatments and healthy lifestyle behaviors to address mental and physical health can help prevent harmful outcomes. A healthy diet and regular physical activity are recommended to improve quality of life.
Mental health services and policies for older adults
In the UK, national policy documents provided little insight into how mental health support should be provided to older people. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2015) provided recommendations on the types of interventions that should be provided to prevent mental health problems in older people.
Lack of government investment to support the mental health of older people also contributes to the increased prevalence among older adults. The belief that mental health problems in older adults are inevitable or untreatable also increases their prevalence. Increasing age-friendly digital options could reduce some of the key risk factors such as loneliness among older adults.
There are not many policies related to mental health care in later life. However, the Community Mental Health Framework (NHS England, 2019) has provided insight into how severe or complex mental health problems can be addressed with long-term planning.
