Sunday, 02 March 2025

Understanding Mental Illness in Our Elderly Loved Ones

Mental health problems impact the young and old, these days more so than ever before. However, the rising rates of mental illness in the elderly population are staggering, to say the least. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 15% of all adults over the age of 60 suffer from a mental health issue of some kind. Here are the facts that you need to know.

Mental health risk factors in the elderly

There are a number of possible risk factors or causes of anxiety and depression in the elderly. Dealing with chronic pain or illness can be challenging, and side effects from some medications may play a role in compounding mental health problems. Another possible trigger may be moving into an aged care setting.

Financial stress and loss of independence are also commonly associated with mental health issues in elderly adults.

Associate Professor Christopher Fisher is the Academic Course Coordinator and Director of Teaching & Learning at Victoria University (VU) Online for the College of Health and Biomedicine.

With a background in public health, Dr Fisher is an experienced mental health professional who has witnessed the impacts of the COVID pandemic on our older generations.

For adults in the 50- to 65-year-old range, job discrimination is another possible cause of mental health concerns.

“For these people, they are not quite at an age where they are ready to retire. But they are finding it difficult to find work as they are being overlooked for younger people. They are worried about how they are going to make a living, and a living that isn’t half of what they have previously been earning.”

The most common mental health issues affecting the elderly

Depression is by far the most common mental illness when it comes to older generations. Other illnesses to watch out for include dementia, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, dissociative disorders, personality disorder, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).

The link between ageing and depression

As a person ages, they are likely to experience changes both from a physical and emotional perspective. They are at a much higher risk of developing a chronic condition and having to cope with pain on a daily basis. They are likely to experience negative changes in their mobility and how active they are able to be.

From an emotional standpoint, they are sure to lose close friends of a similar age and be forced to confront their own mortality, as well as endure a gradual loss of independence. In short, there is a strong link between the process of ageing, and the various circumstances surrounding it, and depression.

What does mental illness in older adults look like?

Mental illness can manifest differently in older adults than it does in teenagers, adolescents or young adults. Add to this the reduced propensity of the elderly to seek help, and it can be easy to miss. Not to mention that many older people may believe that what they are feeling is normal. As they grow old, they will come to expect this as part of the ageing experience.

Of course, depression and anxiety aren’t a normal part of getting older. And the difficulty is that this is how many of the symptoms are perceived.

Symptoms like insomnia, difficulties with concentration or memory, and social withdrawal are brushed aside as things that happen to old people. But they could be a sign that something more serious is going on.

Other common symptoms of mental illness in the elderly may include

• Feelings of irritability, sadness or worthlessness
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Lack of interest in activities they usually enjoy
• Social withdrawal from family and friends
• Physical symptoms, such as lack of energy, headaches, nausea or other forms of pain
• Indecisiveness, confusion, agitation or excessive worrying
• Loss of appetite

This is not about having an off day. If a person has been displaying these symptoms for two weeks or more, it is worth speaking with a mental health professional.

How to help an elderly loved one with a mental illness

It is vital to be patient, understanding, and supportive when caring for an elderly loved one with a mental illness. It is also important to get a proper diagnosis and to follow a tailored course of treatment as recommended by a doctor or psychiatrist.

Due to the fact that many seniors may struggle with memory as they age, it is a must to make doubly sure that they remember to take their medication as prescribed. If you are unable to monitor this yourself, now is a good time to consider looking for home health care for the elderly.

Furthermore, just in case your loved one suffers a mental health episode, it can be extremely helpful to put together a medical file consisting of all of their personal details, medication information, and medical history. Be sure to bring the file along to all future doctor’s appointments and to keep it regularly updated.

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