Elderly ‘denied’ depression help.
Older people with depression are being denied help because of their age, according to a report.
People seeking help are often fobbed off, misdiagnosed or given inappropriate treatment, it found.
Doctors may issue prescriptions for drugs like Prozac when counselling would offer more benefit. And the numbers given psychological help are far lower than in the general population.
‘Ageist’ attitudes denying help to thousands of older people with depression.
[...]The charity found that ageist attitudes held by many people, including GPs, and ageist rules in the NHS mean that an astounding eight out of 10 older people with clinical depression don’t get any treatment. Most mental health services for depression exclude people aged 65 and older, despite the risk of depression increasing with age in later life[...]
The study, from Age Concern, said more than two million people over the age of 65 in England have symptoms of depression, but the vast majority are denied help.
It said: “Older people have more limited access to psychological therapies than younger people.
“Fewer than 10% of older people with clinical depression are referred to specialist mental health services compared with about 50% of younger adults with mental and emotional problems.”
Elderly not getting depression help.
[...]GPs prescribe drugs such as Prozac in cases where counselling would be a more appropriate form of treatment, according to the study by Age Concern.
The charity says that in excess of two million people aged over 65 show signs of depression in England but the proportion given psychological help is much lower than in the rest of the population[...]
The charity has launched a new campaign - Down, but not out - to improve the lives of older people with depression.
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: “Negative attitudes about mental health problems make it very difficult for older people to talk about their feelings or to ask for help.
“It is scandalous that hundreds of thousands of older people may be denied treatment because depression is wrongly seen as a natural part of getting older.
“Older people deserve better treatment - there should be no excuse for inaction. The Government and the NHS need to take action to stamp out ageist attitudes and practice, once and for all.”
Source: The Press Association.
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