This fact sheet has been produced by multiple stakeholders and published by the forum for mental health in primary care
Key learning points
- One in four older people have symptoms of depression that require treatment
- Fewer than one in six older people with depression discuss their symptoms with their GP and only half of these receive adequate treatment
- Physical illness increases the risk of depression
- Untreated depression is the leading cause of suicide among older people, with men living alone at particularly high risk
- There is good evidence for the effectiveness both of psychological interventions and antidepressants for the treatment of depression in older people
- Referral to an Old Age Mental Health Team or single point of entry should be considered if there is diagnostic difficulty, risk of self-harm or suicide, neglect or poor response to a course of two antidepressant treatments or psychological therapy
- Interventions to increase social participation, physical activity, continued learning and volunteering, and reduction of fuel poverty can prevent depression, particularly in older people
Authors:
Carolyn Chew Graham, Professor of Primary Care, University of Manchester and Expert Resource, Mental Health, RCGP.
Dr Jonathan Campion, Consultant Psychiatrist on secondment to the Department of Health.
Polly Kaiser, National Lead for Age Equality and Later Life NMHDU.
Kati Edwards, Assistant Psychologist, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Valued contributions from: David Shiers, Chris Manning, Lynn Young, Dave Andersen, Steve Boddington, Ken Laidlaw and Peter Connelly.