Mental health services 'failing the elderly'
Monday, 13 Aug 2007 10:04
Mental health services are 'failing' the elderly
One in four people aged over 65 is suffering from depression but inadequate health care is failing to provide them with satisfactory care and support, an independent report has concluded.
The UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life estimates that over 3.5 million older people experience mental health problems.
Nearly two-thirds of people aged over 85 are suffering from depression or serious symptoms of depression and women over 75 are more likely to commit suicide than any other groups.
Men over 75 have the second highest suicide rates of all males in the UK.
One-fifth of people over 80 also suffer from dementia.
Despite this, the inquiry found that older people with mental health problems are often ignored and receive little support from the NHS.
It also warns that there is a poor level of service for people growing older with longstanding mental health problems such as schizophrenia.
Inquiry chairman Dr June Crown described current mental health services for older people as "inadequate in range, in quantity and in quality".
"Mental health problems in later life are not an inevitable part of ageing," she added.
"They are often preventable and treatable, and action to improve the lives of older people who experience mental health difficulties is long overdue."
Thirty-five recommendations have been made to improve mental health services and the government has been urged to provide leadership and greater funding.
Recommendations include challenging stigma, eliminating age discrimination in mental health and improving housing, health and social care services.
Commenting on the report, Chris Ball, chair of the Mental Health Network's older people subgroup, said: "It is vital that we tackle the issues of discrimination and stigma in mental health at all levels – both in the context of provision and in wider society.
"The Mental Health Network will be working hard with members to make sure the work of the report is taken forward for the benefit of service users - especially in the areas of commissioning, care homes and acute hospitals."
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, added: "After four years of thorough research, we have a clear roadmap for what must be done next.
"We challenge the government to learn the lessons of this report, and to take them forward."
Health minister Ivan Lewis said the inquiry's report raises "fundamental questions" for the NHS and how it responds to an ageing society.
Last week the Department of Health announced a new dementia strategy and a new national carers strategy is being developed to be published next spring.
"Whether it be depression, chronic illness or dementia we have a duty to act so older people have the best possible quality of life," he added.
"I will be taking the findings of this report seriously and working with stakeholders to seek continued improvements in the quality of mental health services for older people."