Mental Health Issues in the Aging. Psychology Research Paper

Mental Health Issues in The Aging
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Mental Health Issues in The Aging
Introduction
The prevalence in older people is a growing trend that is often ignored. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more the 15% of people aged above 60 years suffer from one or more mental disorders (Chicago Methodist Senior Services, n.d.). Another study estimated that 20% of people above 55 years also suffered from some form of mental health condition (WHO, 2017). While this is true, many people confuse the diagnosis of mental illness with signs of aging. Mental illnesses contribute to the disturbances in behavior, thought, attitude, and memory of the people. Therefore, the people who are affected are usually rendered unable to cope with essential life routines. There are many mental illnesses that can be found in older adults. However, the most prevalent ones are depression, dementia, and anxiety. Data show that more than 6 million Americans above age 60 are affected by the conditions. This confirms the severity of the disease and why it is important to develop coping measures and ensure that proper remedies are designed to manage the conditions and offer the elderly services that will help them cope with the new challenges. This essay will discuss the risk factors of mental health and discuss the most observed mental conditions in the elderly: depression, anxiety, and dementia.
Mental Health and Elderly People
For proper functioning of the body, mental health is an important consideration. The rising trend in levels of mental disorder among the elderly indicates the disparities existing in providing quality health services that meet all the needs of old individuals. It is estimated that the mental disorders among older adults account for more than 6% of the total disability for the age group. Before we embark on understanding the specific mental conditions, it is essential to understand that older adults are important members of society. The contributions they make to family members, communities, and the country as a whole are important. Moreover, they are the most active participants in volunteer programs. While many of these individuals have stable mental health, the risks of developing a mental disorder are high for older adults than other age groups. When these conditions co-occur with other chronic illnesses, they render the person unable to move and handle many things for themselves. The risk of experiencing several conditions simultaneously is higher among the elderly than other age groups.
The Challenge and Risk Factors
People in all parts of the world are aging rapidly. It is estimated that the population of adult individuals will double by 12% to 22%. In terms of actual numbers, the increase in the adult population is estimated to be between 900 million to 2 billion people aged above 60. This group is at a higher risk of getting different types of disorders. This demands much care and preparation for the ticking time bomb. Aging is also one of the main risk factors in the development of mental disorders. Since we have a growing population of aging people, it essential to understand the leading menta...