Older people "being denied help for depression"
By Jayne Warren - 28/08/2008
Some two million older people in the UK have symptoms of depression - and with good cause: isolation, poor health, bereavement and financial worries can all combine to make life difficult. But people over 65 with depression are more likely to be denied help by their GP and the NHS - according to a shocking new report by Age Concern.
The charity found that worrying ageist attitudes and ageist rules in the NHS mean that an astounding eight out of ten older people with clinical depression don’t get any treatment. And most mental health services for depression exclude people aged 65 and older - despite depression being the most common mental health problem in later life, affecting one in four older people. But if depression is not identified and treated, it can lead to a life of misery, trigger other illnesses and, in extreme cases, even lead to suicide.
Age Concern’s new campaign "Down, but not out", aims to help older people recognise the symptoms of depression and encourage them to seek help. It will also be working with GPs to improve the diagnosis of older people with depression and ensure that effective treatments are available to all - regardless of age.
Only recently a Mature Times reader from Berkshire told us: "Your article on ageism is really pertinent. My husband has been depressed for the last six months (we had three deaths in 6 months of close family members), and he is now taking tablets and asked our GP could he be referred for counselling.
"The reply came back after a couple of weeks - he is too old. The cut off is 70 years of age, and my husband is 74. It's enough to make you depressed. Is this is a universal policy of the NHS?"
Sadly, it looks as though it is, although a policy that has not been widely known - until now.
Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said: “Negative attitudes about mental health problems make it very difficult for older people to talk about their feelings or to ask for help. It is scandalous that hundreds of thousands of older people may be denied treatment because depression is wrongly seen as a natural part of getting older.
“Older people deserve better treatment - there should be no excuse for inaction. Without a major change in policy and practice, there will be 3.5 million older people in UK with symptoms of depression by 2021. The Government and the NHS need to take action to stamp out ageist attitudes and practice, once and for all. The neglect of older people’s mental health ruins lives and must no longer be ignored.”
Awareness of depression is low among older people themselves and their relatives, and is worse in some communities because of negative cultural perceptions of mental health problems. Beliefs about the origin of the illness and the high value placed on family reputation results in many black and minority ethnic (BME) elders, and their families, keeping the depression a secret.
Elizabeth McLennan, Senior Policy Officer at Help the Aged said: "General Practitioners have a key role to play in more effectively pinpointing possible depression, and care home staff and managers must also ensure their own knowledge of symptoms associated with depression is improved.
"Help the Aged continues to be concerned at the worryingly high levels of age discrimination within health services. The Government's Equality Bill should address some of these issues - but a timetable for action is vital to ensure this unfairness is tackled as a priority."
Age Concern is calling for older people who have depression to support its campaign by visiting the website below to share their real life stories. Alternatively, please call Age Concern’s campaigns team on 020 8765 7653.