Mental Health Issues in the Aging. Psychology Research Paper

Mental Health Issues in The Aging
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Mental Health Issues in The Aging
Introduction
The prevalence in older people is a growing trend that is often ignored. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more the 15% of people aged above 60 years suffer from one or more mental disorders (Chicago Methodist Senior Services, n.d.). Another study estimated that 20% of people above 55 years also suffered from some form of mental health condition (WHO, 2017). While this is true, many people confuse the diagnosis of mental illness with signs of aging. Mental illnesses contribute to the disturbances in behavior, thought, attitude, and memory of the people. Therefore, the people who are affected are usually rendered unable to cope with essential life routines. There are many mental illnesses that can be found in older adults. However, the most prevalent ones are depression, dementia, and anxiety. Data show that more than 6 million Americans above age 60 are affected by the conditions. This confirms the severity of the disease and why it is important to develop coping measures and ensure that proper remedies are designed to manage the conditions and offer the elderly services that will help them cope with the new challenges. This essay will discuss the risk factors of mental health and discuss the most observed mental conditions in the elderly: depression, anxiety, and dementia.
Mental Health and Elderly People
For proper functioning of the body, mental health is an important consideration. The rising trend in levels of mental disorder among the elderly indicates the disparities existing in providing quality health services that meet all the needs of old individuals. It is estimated that the mental disorders among older adults account for more than 6% of the total disability for the age group. Before we embark on understanding the specific mental conditions, it is essential to understand that older adults are important members of society. The contributions they make to family members, communities, and the country as a whole are important. Moreover, they are the most active participants in volunteer programs. While many of these individuals have stable mental health, the risks of developing a mental disorder are high for older adults than other age groups. When these conditions co-occur with other chronic illnesses, they render the person unable to move and handle many things for themselves. The risk of experiencing several conditions simultaneously is higher among the elderly than other age groups.
The Challenge and Risk Factors
People in all parts of the world are aging rapidly. It is estimated that the population of adult individuals will double by 12% to 22%. In terms of actual numbers, the increase in the adult population is estimated to be between 900 million to 2 billion people aged above 60. This group is at a higher risk of getting different types of disorders. This demands much care and preparation for the ticking time bomb. Aging is also one of the main risk factors in the development of mental disorders. Since we have a growing population of aging people, it essential to understand the leading mental illness among older adults.
However, before we cascade into the specific conditions, it is also essential to understand the risk factors for developing mental health problems among adults. Aged people experienced life stressors experienced by all people in different age groups. Other life stressors are only common in later life, including a significant decline in abilities and physical functionality. It is common for aged people to experience reduced mobility, frailty, chronic pain, and other health complications that force that to sign up for long term care services. Other factors contribute to mental health problems in aged people, such as bereavement and decline in socioeconomic status as one retires from active work. Stressors contribute to mental problems because they cause loneliness, isolation, and psychological stress. Mental wellbeing affects physical health, and vice versa (WHO, 2017).
There are associated comorbidities for people with chronic conditions. For example, WHO states that people with conditions like heard disease have high risks of experiencing depression. When the depression is not treated, the outcome will be severe and can lead to other complications. Another significant risk factor for a mental health problem in adults is elder abuse. Elder abuse includes physical, verbal, financial, psychological abuse. Moreover, many older people are neglected, which makes them lose dignity and respect. This has an outcome on their mental wellbeing. The outcome of elder abuse is long-term psychological consequences, including depression and anxiety (WHO, 2017).
Depression in the Elderly
Depression is a mood disorder and has been recorded at a high rate among older adults. The condition is usually associated with distress and suffering, pain, and other forms of emotional pain. Depression is a common mental condition among the elderly. While it is a common condition, it does not imply that it is a common condition. When depression is untreated, it can adversely damage the person's social, physical, and mental functionality. Whenever depression is diagnosed, the treatment of other conditions is also very hard. Many of the adults reported to suffer from depression are known to visit doctors and admitted to emergency rooms frequently compared to others. Moreover, the presence of the condition impacts the healthcare cost on the person. There is high utilization of medical services, incur very high charges for outpatient services, and are reported to stay in healthcare facilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Association of Chronic Disease Director, 2008).
It is estimated that depression in the late stages of life affects around 6 million individuals above 65. This confirms the prevalence of the condition across the country. While the number is recorded to be high, those who can receive treatment are around 10% of the 6 million people. This means that many people suffer from depression and never get any form of therapy. Such disparities in providing mental healthcare for the elderly leads to other complications that limit the growth and development of individuals (WebMD, n.d.). There is a huge difference between depression in adults and depression in young people. In adults, depression co-occurs with other medical complications and also lasts for more extended periods. Aged people suffering from depression have higher risks of experiencing cardiac diseases. They also have an increased risk of succumbing to...