Elderly 'suffering mental health pandemic'

Britain's elderly are in the grip of a mental health crisis with more than 3.5 million older people suffering depression or dementia, according to a new study reported in the Daily Telegraph.

The new figures show the scale of mental health problems in the over-65s is far greater than previously thought.

Experts warn unless prompt Government action is taken the number of those suffering mental health problems will rise by a third in the next 15 years.

The disturbing analysis is released today by the UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life, involving experts from the London School of Economics, the Royal College of Nursing and the charity Age Concern.

According to the study, up to 2.6 million older people - one in four of those over 65 and two in five of those over 85 - are suffering from depression or serious symptoms of depression. Meanwhile, one in five people over 80 suffers from dementia.

Describing it as a "mental health pandemic", the report claims that these are the "invisible" people whose problems are often caused by loneliness, long-term illness and lack of independence.

Many avoid seeking help because of a perceived stigma. Those that do seek help often receive inferior treatment and have their symptoms put down to age.

The inquiry calls for a Government task force to be set up by 2008 to tackle the problem.

"There is no time to waste. As our population ages, we must ensure that the number of older people who suffer mental health problems are minimised," the report says.

"The majority of older people with mental health problems do not receive services. We need to shift our attention to them, to ensure they are supported by loved ones and enabled to care for themselves - by design, not by accident or neglect."

The study predicts that unless there are effective interventions, 3.5 million older people will have symptoms of depression and almost one million will have dementia by 2021.

It states that the Department of Health framework for mental health services has so far focused only on people up to 65.

Those over that age receive lower-cost and inferior services to younger people, even if they have the same condition.

Dr June Crown, the chairman of the inquiry said: "Mental health problems in later life are often preventable and treatable, and action to improve the lives of older people who experience mental health difficulties is long overdue."

Ivan Lewis, a junior health minister, said: "This report raises fundamental questions for the NHS, care system, families and all communities."