1. Mental Health Concerns Are Not a Normal Part of Aging
Depression and other mental health concerns are not a normal function of aging. People can become frustrated with their memory loss, decreased independence and ability to get around, suffer pain from a loss of a spouse, become lonely or suffer from chronic pain as they age; all of these can lead to depression and other mental health concerns. Normal and expected changes in life are a part of the aging process, but depression and other mental illnesses are not.
2. Mental Illness Concerns Not Uncommon
An estimated 15 to 25 percent of elderly people suffer from significant symptoms of mental illness. The most common illnesses seen in our elderly are severe depression, psychosis, late onset bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts. Mental illnesses can and should be treated, so concern over signs and symptoms of these illnesses should be taken to a health care provider.
3. Treatment Should Not Be Delayed
Depression late in life affects nearly 6 million Americans--but only 10 percent of these people are treated. Because depression and other mental illnesses are often found with other diseases and conditions later in life, diagnosis is more difficult. Significant life changes such as retirement, death of a spouse or friends and relocation may lead to a loss of existing support networks, and this can facilitate depression. Family members and health care providers begin to expect slowdowns in people with advancing age, which can further delaying diagnosis and needed treatment.
4. Mental Illness Affects Physical Health
Depression is a common mental illness among the elderly, and it tends to last longer with this population. Physical risks also accompany elderly people with depression, including double the risk of cardiac disease, increased risk of death from other diagnosed diseases and a decreased ability to rehabilitate after significant health events. The physical consequences of depression, even when mild, provide more evidence of the need to treat the disease.
5. Many Elderly Are Reluctant to Seek Care
Many mental illnesses that affect the elderly population can be controlled when correctly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, many elderly people are reluctant to seek out the psychiatric care that could cure or alleviate their suffering, or they mistake the symptoms of mental illness for an inevitable part of aging. Sometimes, they feel ashamed and are afraid of what might happen if they acknowledge their symptoms, or are afraid they'll be labeled "crazy," taken from their homes or highly medicated. Dispelling myths about mental illness and its treatment is important in encouraging treatment. Many of these adults could return to their previous level of functioning if correctly treated.
