Older Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment

Mental Health Services for Older Adults

For older adults, mental health problems are not just part of aging, and getting the right mental health treatment services can make a positive impact on long term quality of life.

Our older adult services provide evidence-based treatment and therapies from mental health professionals who understand the challenges that older people face in their lives, in their environment and as they get older.

Elderly Mental Health Statistics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most common mental disorders in the elderly are anxiety and depression. Both of these mental health conditions can be brought about by risk factors such as loneliness and social isolation, which are both more present in older members of the population.

More concerning, however, is that WHO reports that around 14% of older adults live with a mental illness, making mental disorders in older adults a major public health care issue.

In addition to anxiety and depression, some common mental health conditions that older people are at high risk for include:

• Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder
• Cognitive disorders such as dementia

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues in Older Adults

As people age, there are many changes and challenges that they face in life that can trigger mental health issues or make existing ones much worse.

Whether it is a common mental health condition or co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issue, here are some of the signs and symptoms to watch for:

• Drastic changes in mood or personality
  • This could include a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities or someone who is usually very talkative becoming withdrawn.
• Not enough sleep or too much sleep
  • Changes in sleep patterns can be a sign of mental health issues.
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
  • Forgetting a few things can be normal, but forgetting things that you typically remember can be a sign of a mental health issue.
• Anger or being aggressive
  • Someone who is not typically angry or aggressive can gain this unwanted personality trait because of mental health issues.
• Frequent or increased worrying
  • Being anxious is not always the sign of mental health issues, but being constantly anxious or worrying over frivolous things can be a warning sign.
• Obsessive behavior
  • Obsessive thoughts or actions can be a sign of mental health problems in senior adults
• Suicidal thoughts
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older men have the highest suicide rate of any age group. If you or a loved one is struggling with a suicidal crisis, please call 9-1-1.