Increase funding for research training in geropsychology and for the widespread dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatment for mental healthproblems of older adults. Pathological aging professional#Integration and coordination of care by geropsychologists with primary care professionals have been shown to decrease the frequency of older adults' primary care visits and use of medication.Įnhance opportunities for professional training in the psychology of aging at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels of education to address the growing number of older adults in need of mental and behavioral health services.Įxpand basic and applied behavioral research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Aging. As most older adults have one or more chronic medical conditions, psychologists' skills are particularly useful in diagnosis and treatment. Recognition and treatment of mental health conditions in the medically ill may be especially difficult. The World Health Organization projects that by the year 2020, depression will remain a leading cause of disability, second only to cardiovascular disease. Even mild depression lowers immunity and may compromise a 2 person's ability to fight infections and cancers.ĭepression has a powerful negative impact on ability to function, resulting in high rates of disability. Conversely, untreated depression in an older person with heart disease negatively affects the outcome of the disease. For example, older adults with medical problems such as heart disease have higher rates of depression than those who are medically well. Physical and mental health affect each other. In rural and underserved areas, it may be that primary care medical services are the only health care available. Studies indicate that 50-70% of all primary care medical visits are related to psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and stress. As team members, psychologists collaborate with a variety of professionals, including medical and other mental health care services providers, to ensure comprehensive care. Psychologists work both independently and as members of interdisciplinary teams. Psychologists provide services to older adults in a variety of settings, including health care facilities, community-based private or group practices, and places where older adults reside-in their homes, longterm-care and assisted-living facilities, and hospices. Studies show that the majority of students in psychology doctoral training are interested in working with and expect to provide clinical services to older adults during their careers. Collectively, psychologists provide more than 50,000 hours of care each week to older adults, and 70% of practicing psychologists provide some services to older adults. Psychologists play a significant role in addressing the mental health needs and supporting the strengths of our growing population of older adults. Increasing access to mental health services for older adults will reduce health care expenditures by lowering the frequency of primary care visits, medical procedures, and medication use. Some late-life problems that can result in depression and anxiety include coping with physical health problems, caring for a spouse with dementia or a physical disability, grieving the death of loved ones, and managing conflict with family members.Īddressing these problems and treating often overlooked mental health conditions results in decreased emotional suffering, improved physical health, lessened disability, and a better quality of life for older adults and their families. Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, adversely affect physical health and ability to function, especially in older adults. However, it is anticipated that the number of older adults with mental and behavioral health problems will almost quadruple, from 4 million in 1970 to 15 million in 2030. Most older adults enjoy good mental health. More than 5 million older adults were below the poverty level or classified as "near poor" in 2001. An increasing number of older adults are immigrants or members of ethnic or racial minority groups. People 65 years of age and older are the fastest growing segment of the U.S.
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