4 The impact of age-related risks and inequalities on mental health in later life
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Alisoun Milne
Abstract
In broad terms there are two sets of age-related risks to mental health. The first set are those arising directly from experiences and losses common to later life, including physical ill health and/or disability, being a carer, retirement, and bereavement. These are associated with impaired psychological wellbeing and heightened risk of depression, particularly amongst older people with few economic or social resources. The second set of risks arise from ageism and age discrimination, and their intersection with other types of discrimination such as sexism for older women. Direct and indirect discrimination is widespread; it is located in all areas of society including health and social care services. It is profoundly damaging to older peoples’ psychological wellbeing and is associated with fear, helplessness, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. It is also linked to exclusion, marginalisation and abuse. In recent years there have been efforts to ensure that older people are overtly included in policies intended to improve the population’s physical and mental health; this includes access to treatments e.g. for depression. There has also been a focus on addressing age discrimination in specific arenas e.g. in employment and mental health services. These initiatives have had mixed success.
Abstract
In broad terms there are two sets of age-related risks to mental health. The first set are those arising directly from experiences and losses common to later life, including physical ill health and/or disability, being a carer, retirement, and bereavement. These are associated with impaired psychological wellbeing and heightened risk of depression, particularly amongst older people with few economic or social resources. The second set of risks arise from ageism and age discrimination, and their intersection with other types of discrimination such as sexism for older women. Direct and indirect discrimination is widespread; it is located in all areas of society including health and social care services. It is profoundly damaging to older peoples’ psychological wellbeing and is associated with fear, helplessness, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. It is also linked to exclusion, marginalisation and abuse. In recent years there have been efforts to ensure that older people are overtly included in policies intended to improve the population’s physical and mental health; this includes access to treatments e.g. for depression. There has also been a focus on addressing age discrimination in specific arenas e.g. in employment and mental health services. These initiatives have had mixed success.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and boxes iv
- Acknowledgements v
- Foreword vi
- Introduction 1
- Demography, topography and mental health problems in later life 7
- Mental health, psychological well-being, successful ageing and quality of life 33
- The life course, inequalities and mental health in later life 53
- The impact of age-related risks and inequalities on mental health in later life 81
- Socio-economic disadvantage and poverty 105
- Abuse, mistreatment and neglect 115
- The fourth age, frailty and transitions 129
- The mental health and well-being of people living with dementia 143
- Conceptualising dementia 165
- Promotion and prevention 199
- Conclusion 237
- Notes 259
- References 263
- Index 337
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and boxes iv
- Acknowledgements v
- Foreword vi
- Introduction 1
- Demography, topography and mental health problems in later life 7
- Mental health, psychological well-being, successful ageing and quality of life 33
- The life course, inequalities and mental health in later life 53
- The impact of age-related risks and inequalities on mental health in later life 81
- Socio-economic disadvantage and poverty 105
- Abuse, mistreatment and neglect 115
- The fourth age, frailty and transitions 129
- The mental health and well-being of people living with dementia 143
- Conceptualising dementia 165
- Promotion and prevention 199
- Conclusion 237
- Notes 259
- References 263
- Index 337
