Depression in older people ignored

Mental Health Nursing,  Jan 2005  

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A new report by Help the Aged reveals that one in eight older people living at home and two in five of those living in care homes suffer from depression, with the risk doubling for those with ill health and disability.

Yet symptoms are ignored, misdiagnosed and untreated, putting unnecessary pressure on older people, their families, carers and care services.

Depression and Older People: Towards securing well-being in later life, written by Mary Godfrey and Tracy Denby of Nuffield Institute for Health, University of Leeds, states that depression is one of the most common conditions in later life but is often missed or misunderstood by many GPs and care professionals.

Jonathan Ellis, Help the Aged policy manager, health and social care says depression is a chronic health problem among older people.

'It causes considerable pain and suffering and impacts on a person's quality of life and well-being. A person's inability to do some everyday tasks, as a result of physical ill health or bereavement, can often bring on feelings of low mood or depression.'

Many older people find physical ill health, disability or significant life events, such as the death of a partner or a close friend, isolating. These conditions prevent them from doing things that are important. But, it is not only these 'big' events that put older people at risk of depression but also the 'daily hassles'.

These so-called 'daily hassles', such as shopping, putting out rubbish or gardening, plague people day in, day out. They create stress and contribute to low mood and depression. Similarly, these 'daily hassles' can become more apparent following the loss of a partner or close friend. All too often, older people are left feeling helpless and without direction.

Traditional 'home help' or low level social care has, in the past, gone some way to provide older people with the support to remain independent in their own homes and to cope with the 'daily hassles'. However, a fall in the number of households receiving low level care - from 42 per cent in 1992 to 17 per cent in 2002has often left older people without basic help and support.

While traditional methods of treating depression include drug therapies, Help the Aged believes that proper treatment involves providing therapy and support simultaneously. To enable older people to live a 'good life', they must be offered services and support. The Charity, therefore, calls for:

* An end to the ageist assumption that feelings of low mood and depression are a normal part of ageing;

* More training and awareness of the prevalence of depression in older age, particularly among GPs and health and social care workers, and effective strategies for managing depression in later life;

* Increased provision and availability of low level social care or 'home help' services to provide support in dealing with 'daily hassles', thus allowing older people to live independent lives and avoid depression

* Opportunities to allow older people to engage in social and community life and to enjoy friendships and companionship. This includes providing activities as well as transport to allow older people to take part.

Depression and older people is published by Policy Press in association with Help The Aged priced £14.99 (plus £2.75 p&p) available from Marston Book Services on 01235 465500 - direct.orders@marston.co.uk.

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association Jan 2005
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