Mental health being neglected in the elderly

The number of old people developing depression is expected to rise dramatically

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Older people's mental health and well-being is being severely neglected, claims a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Its report Older People and Wellbeing estimates 2.4 million older people have depression and predicts the number with mental health problems will rise dramatically over the next 20 years. This will be driven by an increase in the prevalence of mental health problems across all ages, an ageing population and a rise in the number of carers.

Ill health, reduced mobility and living alone all increase the risk of depression.

For more information, visit www.ippr.org.uk