Over 3 Million Pensioners with Mental Health Problems

 
A better future for pensioners
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Unless action is taken to promote good mental health and well-being for older people. Over three million pensioners will experience mental health problems include depression and dementia by 2021, a new report reveals.

The figures highlight that if poor mental health rates remain the same in 15 years three million over 65s will experience poor mental health. Research released by the first independent UK inquiry into mental health and older people shows many over 65 year olds are experiencing mental health problems as a result of age discrimination, poverty, loneliness and poor physical health.

The report, promoting mental health and well-being in later life, says that action is needed to remove the barriers that prevent older people from participating in society. It recommends that local authorities take a lead role in partnership with the NHS, voluntary organisations, business representatives, community groups and with individuals to develop programmes that promote positive mental health and well-being in later life.

For example, local authorities could establish or fund programmes which have been shown to improve older people's physical health such as "Ageing well” which is a peer to peer mentoring scheme that helps older people lead healthier lives. This programme could be expanded to explicitly address mental health and well-being.

The inquiry also calls on the Government to set a date for ending pensioner poverty.Dr June Crown, Chairman of the Inquiry said: "The mental health and well-being of older people has been neglected for too long. Everyone - national and local government, business, communities, and individuals - needs to play a part in promoting positive mental health and well-being and valuing the contribution of older people.”

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, a federation of over 400 independent UK charities said: "It is significant that older people themselves highlighted that age discrimination plays a role in poor mental health. This report shows that this is denying older people the chance to enjoy later life.”

Age Concern and the Mental Health Foundation have joined forces to support the launch of this report from the independent Inquiry, which is a three-year major exploration of mental health and well-being in later life.

REHACARE.de; Source: Age Concern

- More information on Age Concern at: www.ageconcern.org.uk

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