We share with our members this press release by Age UK. We have many members at Shropshire Disability Network who are 55 and over, so it is important we share this with you.
Headed “Half of Adults Aged 55 and over have experienced Common Health problems, says Age UK” The charity is joining forces with NHS England to encourage older people to seek help and is calling on GP’s to spot early warning signs.
Nearly half of adults (7.7 million) aged 55+ say they have experienced depression and around the same number (7.3 million) have suffered with anxiety, according to new YouGov research for the charity Age UK – revealing the scale of the mental health challenge facing older people in the UK today.
The death of loved ones (36%) ill health of themselves (24%) and financial worries (27%) are the most common triggers for mental health problems, yet worryingly more than a third (35%) say they did not know where to go for help and support. This comes as NHS England has published new guidance – ‘Mental health in older people’ – to help GPs spot the tell-tale signs of anxiety and depression, and identify a range of mental health problems including those which specifically affect older people.
To read the full Press Release which includes comments from Age UK Director, Caroline Abrahams and from Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia NHS England click on this PDF : HALF OF ADULTS AGED 55 AND OVER HAVE EXPERIENCED COMMON MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS