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Poor Mental Health in Adults Over 50 Is Not a Normal Part of Aging
By Debra B. Cotteril, The Ledger Independent
January 20, 2009
The Healthy Aging Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors recently released the first of two issue briefs addressing key issues regarding mental health in Americans over 50. The brief, titled The State of Mental Health and Aging in America, addresses the topic’s importance by stating “because mental health is essential to overall health and well-being, it must be recognized and treated in all Americans, including older adults, with the same urgency as physical health.”
There are six key issues addressed in the CDC/NACDD brief, which are the following: social and emotional support, addressing the effect one’s social network and support system have on their mental health; life satisfaction, referring to general satisfaction and happiness; frequent mental distress, looking at frequency of depression and/or anxiety; current depression, a questionnaire testing for symptoms of depression; lifetime diagnosis of depression, looking for diagnosis of long-term depression; and lifetime diagnosis of anxiety disorder, addressing both depression and anxiety disorders.
Depression and anxiety can be caused by multiple sources, such as a loss of a loved one, stressful events, retirement, reactions to medication, infection, or even genetics. But it is not a symptom of aging. According to the CDC/NACDD, 80% of depression cases involving those over 50 are treatable. However, most cases go undiagnosed and untreated. When not treated, adults who develop depression on average use more medication, more frequently visit the emergency room or doctor, and have longer hospital stays.
Knowing that chronic sadness and depression is not a normal part of growing old and it can be treated in older adults, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension developed Aging in Kentucky: A Healthy State of Mind. Through its extension agents, this program provides information, resources and tools to educate and inform the aging population, their loved ones and those who take care of their physical needs. A Consumer Lesson will be offered on Jan. 26 at 1:30 pm at the Mason County Extension Office. This lesson is free and the public is invited to attend. If you would like more information or would like to participate in the program, please contact the Mason County Extension Office at 564-6808.
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