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Mental Illnesses in Older Adults

Mental Illnesses in Older Adults

Disorders on this page:
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety Disorders
Dementia
Depression
Elder Abuse
Gambling
Medications
Substance Abuse
Suicide
General Resources
Organizations

Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease affects approximately four million Americans. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) most often begin after age 65. Approximately 10 percent of those over age 65 and almost 50 percent of adults over age 80 have AD. Those suffering from AD often live 20 years after symptoms begin to appear. Cognitive symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and difficulty in communicating (speaking, reading, writing, and understanding). Behavioral and personality changes include aggressiveness, wandering, agitation, depression, and psychosis.

* Alzheimer's Association (National website with information on the disease and local associations)


Anxiety
An estimated 11.4 percent of adults aged 55 years or older have an anxiety disorder each year. Up to 17 percent of older men and 21 percent of older women report anxiety symptoms that do not fulfill the criteria for a specific anxiety disorder.

* Anxiety Disorders in Older Adults (Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General)


Dementia
Dementia is a progressive deterioration in intellectual functioning, such as memory, speech, and thinking. It is often accompanied by changes in behavior and mood. Dementia can result from Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia (caused by severe blockage of arteries supplying blood to the brain or a stroke), Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or many other illnesses. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects an estimated four million Americans. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Indications of dementia should be investigated by a health care professional.

* Dementia (MHA)


Depression
Depression is not a normal part of aging. Older adults experience various losses – the death of friends and family members, the loss independence due to physical limitations (driving, decreased physical mobility, sensory losses, cognitive changes), or isolation due to retirement or moving away from family or into an assisted living or retirement community - and suffer and recover from normal bereavement. Most are able to constructively cope with such changes, but those who experience difficulties with coping are often not identified and do not receive assistance or treatment. A number of factors can contribute to depression, such as life events, genetic predisposition, and personality. More than 2 million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some form of depression.

* Depression in Older Persons (NAMI)
*Life after Loss (Resources from AARP)


Elder Abuse
There are three categories of elder abuse: domestic, institutional, and self-neglect or self-abuse. Domestic elder abuse is perpetrated by a friend, loved one, or caregiver. Institutional elder abuse occurs in a residential institution by a caregiver. Self-neglect involves behaviors that threaten ones safety or health. There are several types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional or mental, neglect, abandonment, and financial or material exploitation. The abuser is most likely a family member or spouse, but can be a caregiver or a stranger.

* National Center on Elder Abuse "The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a national resource for elder rights, law enforcement and legal professionals, public policy leaders, researchers, and the public. The Center’s mission is to promote understanding, knowledge sharing, and action on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation."


Gambling
As older adults enter retirement, they may find gambling an enjoyable leisure activity.  Although it can be a fun and social activity, it can be addictive and can cause financial difficulties.
* Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
* Seniors who Gamble: A Summary Review of the Literature 2003  (.pdf; 78 page report submitted to the Alberta, Canada Gaming Research Institute)



Medications
It is important that older adults are aware of the medications they are taking, the appropriate dose, and possible side effects. The importance of taking the correct dose and knowledge of drug interactions can also help a person avoid the negative consequences of prescription misuse. Patients should make sure their doctor is aware of all medications they are taking and their medical history.

* Older Adults can take medicines more safely and effectively by charting their daily routines (American Psychological Association)


Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and medication misuse among older adults are most likely underestimated. Alcohol and prescription medications are the most often abused and misused substances. Misuse is defined as the underuse, overuse, or erratic use of substances.

* Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults (Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General)
* Substance Abuse and Mental Health Among Older Americans: The State of the Knowledge and Future Directions (August 2005 report from Older American Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center)


Suicide
Twenty to 25 percent of all suicides occur in people over age 65, while they comprise only 13 percent of the U.S. population. The highest rate is for white men ages 85 and older. Older adults experience many of the risk factors associated with suicide, particularly an unwillingness to seek treatment, barriers to accessing treatment and stressful life events and losses. Recent research indicates additional risk factors for older adults include access to handguns, poor sleep, and social isolation. Protective factors include effective and appropriate treatment of underlying disorders, easy access to care, and social support, such as from the family, community, religion, and health care professionals.

* Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts - NIMH


General Resources



Aging Organizations
Milwaukee County Department on Aging
Offers advocacy, planning and support services for Milwaukee County older adults.

     Aging Resource Center
            Metro Milwaukee Area: (414) 289-6874
            Nationwide Toll-Free: (866) 229-9695
            TTY: (414) 289-8591

CWAG (Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups): a non-profit, non-partisan statewide grassroots advocacy organization concerned with the issues affecting older persons and their families.

Caring for the Caregiver - Wisconsin Family Caregiver Support Program and Wisconsin Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
608/266-2536 Voice
608/267-9880 TTY
    * Aging and Long Term Care Resources

Administration on Aging (Information for Older Persons and Services for the Elderly including the Aging Network, National Aging Information Center, National Caregiver Family Support Program, and information in Spanish from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Older Women's League (OWL) a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that accomplishes its work through research, education, and advocacy activities conducted through a chapter network.