Late life Psychiatric disorders

Late life Psychiatric disorders

Older adults, those aged 60 or above, make important contributions to society as family
members, volunteers and as active participants in the workforce. While most have good mental
health, many older adults are at risk of developing mental disorders, neurological disorders or
substance use problems as well as other health conditions such as diabetes, hearing loss, and
osteoarthritis. Furthermore, as people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions
at the same time, the most common late life psychiatric disorders are;
Dementia Depression Retirement Alcohol abuse Medication

Risk factors for mental health problems among older adults

There may be multiple risk factors for mental health problems at any point in life. Older
people may experience life stressors common to all people, but also stressors that are
more common in later life, like a significant ongoing loss in capacities and a decline in
functional ability. For example, older adults may experience reduced mobility, chronic
pain, frailty or other health problems.

Dementia and depression among older people as public health issues

Dementia
Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, in which there is
deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday
activities. It mainly affects older people, although it is not a normal part of ageing.

Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness.
Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once
enjoyed.
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
1. Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
3. Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
4. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

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Late life Psychiatric disorders

5. Loss of energy or increased fatigue

6. Feeling worthless or guilty
7. Difficulty thinking
8. Thoughts of death or suicide
Depression can cause great suffering and leads to impaired functioning in daily life.
Unipolar depression occurs in 7% of the general older population.

Treatment and care strategies to address mental health needs of older

people
It is important to prepare health providers and societies to meet the specific needs of
older populations, including:
Training for health professionals in providing care for older people; preventing and managing
age-associated chronic diseases including mental, neurological and substance use disorders;
designing sustainable policies on long-term and palliative care; and developing age-friendly
services and settings.

WHO response
Depression, psychoses, suicide, epilepsy, dementia and substance use disorders are
included in the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) that aims to
improve care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders through providing
guidance and tools to develop health services in resource-poor areas. WHO recognizes
dementia as a public health challenge and published the report, Dementia: a public
health priority, to advocate for action at international and national levels.

Retirement
Not everyone feels ready to retire at the same time. If work or career is a major part of your
life, it can affect:
But being retired (or semi-retired) can also be a busy phase of life because friends and
family can have plans for your time - anything from child care to DIY tasks. It can be a
chance to try a new activity or learn new skills and do the things that you've always
wanted to do but never had the time.

Alcohol abuse
Although alcohol abuse is a problem for people of all ages, it is more likely to go
unrecognised among older people. Reasons for alcohol abuse in older age include
bereavement and other losses, loneliness, physical ill health, disability and pain, loss of
independence, boredom and depression, which is also linked to the other factors.

Medication
Prescribed medications can cause symptoms associated with mental illness in older
people. Most older people are taking some kind of medication, and many are taking
several at the same time. There are risks associated with taking multiple medications,
including confusion.

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