mental health in old age

Understand UK needs, policies and services

Anna Iskander-Reynolds

The mental health of older people has long been neglected. Poor mental health is often dismissed by medical professionals as an “inevitable” part of aging. Also, although NHS Talking Therapy has a higher than average recovery rate for people aged over 65, it is unlikely that this service will be offered to older people.

Commissioned by Age UK, this briefing summarizes the evidence on the mental health of older people in the UK. The study found that while ageist attitudes underpin systems that discriminate against older people, fatalistic assumptions about what people can expect from their mental health in later life promote well-being and promote mental well-being. It revealed that it is undermining the provision of effective support to prevent disease and treat mental health problems.

The report found that while older adults may have many protective factors to maintain good mental health, they are also at risk of worsening physical health, reduced mobility, and for some They were found to face a number of risk factors, including poverty and racism. Addressing risk factors and strengthening protective factors can improve well-being later in life and prevent or halt the worsening of mental health problems.

There is no national plan or blueprint for mental health support in later life. As the population ages, this issue becomes more urgent. mental health in old age It opens up conversations that have been left outside policy and practice for far too long and makes important recommendations on how to improve the mental health of older people.