Old Age

People 65 years of age and older seem to be the fastest growing populace globally. It is perceived that a lot of older adults enjoy good mental health. It is also anticipated that the number of older adults with mental and behavioral health problems will increase. Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, harmfully affect physical health and ability to function, particularly in older adults. The challenges of late-life include: coping with physical health problems, caring for a spouse with dementia or a physical disability, grieving the death of loved ones, and managing conflict with family members. Older adults should address these problems so as to experience decrease in emotional suffering, improved physical health, lessened disability, and a better quality of life.

Increasing access to mental health services for older adults will reduce health care expenditures by lowering the frequency of primary care visits, medical procedures, and medication use. Stressors that are common to aging considerably affect the health and independence of older adults. Life stressors include adapting to and coping with late-life transitions, grief, poverty, multiple medical conditions, functional limitations, cognitive changes, chronic pain, and care from family members