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Age Concern launches national campaign to improve the lives of older people with depression

More than two million older people¹ over the age of 65 in England have symptoms of depression‚ but the vast majority are denied any help‚ according to a new report published today by Age Concern.

The charity found that shocking ageist attitudes held by many people‚ including GPs‚ and ageist rules in the NHS mean that an astounding eight out of ten older people² 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.

Age Concern’s new campaign‚ ‘Down‚ but not out’‚ aims to improve the quality of life for older people with depression. Depression is the most common mental health problem in later life‚ affecting one in four older people³ yet it is often ignored. If depression is not identified and treated‚ it can lead to a life of misery.  It can also cause other illnesses and‚ in extreme cases‚ can lead to suicide.

The charity will be helping older people to recognise the symptoms of depression and encouraging them to seek help. It will also be working with GPs to improve the diagnosis of older people with depression and ensure that effective treatments are available to all‚ regardless of age. 

Poor health and problems‚ such as money worries‚ losing a loved one and stressful events like moving into a care home can trigger depression.  Recently bereaved older people are three times more likely than married older people to show signs of depression.⁴ 

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. Without a major change in policy and practice‚ there will be 3.5 million older people in UK with symptoms of depression by 2021.

“The Government and the NHS need to take action to stamp out ageist attitudes and practice‚ once and for all. The neglect of older people’s mental health ruins lives and must no longer be ignored.”

Awareness of depression is low among older people themselves and their relatives and is worse in some communities because of negative cultural perceptions of mental health problems.  Beliefs about the origin of the illness and the high value placed on family reputation results in many black and minority ethnic (BME) elders‚ and their families‚ keeping the depression a secret.⁵

Age Concern is calling for older people who have depression to support its campaign by visiting www.ageconcern.org.uk/downbutnotout to share their real life stories.  Alternatively‚ please call Age Concern’s campaigns team on 020 8765 7653.

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Notes to Editors  

• For further information about Age Concern’s ‘Down‚ but not out’ campaign or to arrange an interview‚ please contact Anne-Marie Devaney on 020 8765 7511/7512 or email anne-marie.devaney@ace.org.uk
• Age Concern England has an ISDN facility
• Case studies are available for media interviews
• To request a copy of Age Concern’s campaign report‚ ‘Undiagnosed‚ Untreated and at risk’ please contact the Age Concern campaigns team on 020 8765 7504 or view it online at www.ageconcern.org.uk/downbutnotout

Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working for older people. Everyday we are in touch with thousands of older people‚ enabling them to make more of life. We work in the community to support older people through a range of initiatives. These include information and advice‚ befriending‚ day centres‚ lunch clubs‚ transport services‚ home visits‚ and advocacy services along with digital inclusion. More than 85‚000 older people received computer training at an Age Concern in 2006. More information can be found on our website.

1. England figure only.  UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life‚ 2007
2. Out of 1 million people over 65 who have clinical depression‚ only around 150‚000 receive treatment.
3. UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life‚ 2007
4. Out of sight‚ out of mind: Social Exclusion behind closed doors‚ Age Concern England‚ February 2008.
5. Mosaics of Meaning Summary Report‚ Glasgow Anti Stigma Partnership‚ 2007

For general enquiries please contact us.

Journalists contact:

Media contact:
Anne-Marie Devaney/Zena Ambrose
Telephone:
020 8765 7511/7512
Out of office hours:
07071 243 243
Email:
Media@ace.org.uk