COTA Corner: Depression and how it impacts on aged care

RESEARCH carried out by the national depression initiative, beyondblue, shows a commonly held view among people of all ages – including older people – is it is normal for people to become depressed as they reach later life.

However, depression is not a normal part of ageing. It’s an illness – and with the right treatment, most people recover.

Beyondblue funded two studies by the National Ageing Research Institute which aimed to identify gaps in knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety among older people.

The first study included a review of published literature about depression in older people. The review found certain groups of older people were more at risk of depression and anxiety, including those living in residential aged-care facilities or those in hospital.

While the precise rates of depression and anxiety in older people are not known, it is thought between 10% and 15% of older people experience depression and approximately 10% experience anxiety. The rates of depression among people living in residential aged-care facilities are believed to be considerably higher, ranging from 34-45%. Moreover, many people experiencing depression within aged-care facilities may not be receiving the necessary mental health care and treatment.

The second NARI study found several factors contributed to the high rate of depression and anxiety among older people, including a poor understanding of mental health by both older people and their carers, a lack of professional training and stigmatisation around the illness of depression. It was also supported by Beyondblue research which demonstrated lower levels of mental health literacy in people over 65 years of age. In addition, higher levels of stigma prevented older people from talking openly about their experiences.

The figures give cause for concern but there is much that can be done to improve the mental health of older people receiving aged care – such as assisting aged-care workers to recognise the symptoms of depression in order to improve older people’s access to treatment and improving access to primary mental health care.

The NARI study showed significant gaps in both undergraduate and on-the-job training around depression and anxiety, as well as considerable variation in how depression was “detected” across different care environments. The research also showed strong support among aged-care service providers and other key participants for mandatory mental health training around depression and anxiety of staff working in the aged-care sector.

“It’s important to be proactive in reducing the rate of depression and anxiety among older people receiving aged care,” beyondblue population health program director Sue Gherdovich said. “Early detection and appropriate treatment is important for recovery. Giving aged-care service providers the tools to be able to recognise depression as early as possible is key to the recovery process.”

More than one million people in Australia live with depression and two million with anxiety but with the right treatment, most people recover.

Beyondblue is working with COTAs across Australia to raise awareness and understanding of depression in older people and to provide information on where to get help through a peer-education program called Beyond Maturity Blues. Free education sessions are available to community groups. More information about Beyond Maturity Blues can be found at www.beyondblue.org.au.

To download Depression in Older Age: A scoping study, or to find out more about depression/anxiety and related disorders in older people, phone 1300 22 4636, visit www.beyondblue.org.au or contact the COTA in your state.

This article was provided by the Council on the Ageing (COTA), the peak body which for more than 50 years has been representing the interests and views of older Australians. Visit www.cotamembership.org.au or call 1300 1400 50 to learn more and to become a member.