Older Adults with Mental Health Issues in North Carolina
Information for Older Adults and Their Families
Did you know…North Carolina is 8th worst in the nation in the percentage of older adults experiencing frequent
mental distress1? Mental health problems are not a normal part of aging and are costly to our healthcare system. With
North Carolina’s 65+ population projected to increase to 18% of the state total by 2030, the treatment needs of older
adults will significantly rise2.
Mental Health and Aging Facts
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Depression is a common problem among older adults.
o Depression is not a normal part of aging. Emotional experiences of sadness, grief, and temporary “blue”
moods are normal. Persistent depression that interferes significantly with ability to function is not.3
o Depression is a widely under recognized and under treated medical illness. Because many older adults face
chronic illnesses as well as various social and economic difficulties, healthcare professionals may mistakenly
conclude that depression is a normal consequence of these problems.3
o Older adults can be helped with the same success as younger people. 80% of older adults recovered from
depression after receiving treatment that included both psychotherapy and anti-depressant medication.4
o Depression in older adults can cause physical, social and mental impairments
o Depressive disorders often coincide with and make it difficult to treat other chronic diseases
o Depressed older adult’s visit the doctor and ER more often, have longer stays in the hospital, incur more
medical expenses, and take more medications. 5
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Suicide is a risk among older adults.
o Older adults have the highest suicide rate in the country. Those aged 85 and over have the highest suicide
rate; those aged 75-84 have the second highest. Older adult suicide attempts are more lethal.4
o 75% of those who commit suicide have visited a primary care physician within a month of their suicide.6
o Older adults’ suicide attempts are more lethal. For those 65+, there is 1 suicide for every 4 attempts
compared to 1 suicide for every 20 attempts for all other age groups.
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An estimated 10–15% of Americans over 65 are addicted to alcohol, and 20% are “problem drinkers.”7
o
o
o
o
Addiction to alcohol is four times higher in men than women. 8
As people age, they may become more sensitive to alcohol’s effects. The same amount of alcohol can have a
greater effect on an older person than on someone who is younger. Over time, someone whose drinking
habits haven’t changed may find she or he has a problem. 9
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. In fact, nonmedical use of
prescription medications was the second most common form of substance abuse among adults older than
55. 10
Adults over the age of 55 have the highest rate of success and sobriety. Identification of the problem and
involvement of the family is important, especially given the medical risks and social isolation associated with
older adults.11
1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010
Office of State Budget and Management, 2010
3 National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health/index.shtml
4 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dbhr/olderadultmentalhealth.shtml
2NC
5
http://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf
6
National Institute of Health, http://nihseniorhealth.gov/depression/toc.html
7
http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Home4/Home_Page_Spotlights/Spotlight_1/Guidebook.pdf
8
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Home4/Home_Page_Spotlights/Spotlight_1/Guidebook.pdf
9 National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Older Adults and Alcohol: You Can Help; NIH Publication Number 08-7350, December
2008
10
May 2006, Vol. 5, Issue 2 of “Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory,” page 1. This is newsletter from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services
2
North Carolina Responds
The NC Mental Health and Aging Coalition was formed in June 2011 as a collaborative effort of the NC Division of Aging
and Adult Services; the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services; the UNC
Institute on Aging; the NC Healthy Aging Research Network; and the Carolina Geriatric Education Center. Over 36
individuals representing a variety of public and private entities and many communities have joined the Coalition to date.
The Coalition meets quarterly in person and via teleconference.
The mission of the NC Mental Health and Aging Coalition is to focus attention on the mental health needs and
substance use of older adults, build community capacity, and support advocacy and action. The Coalition is focused on
winnable battles, as follows:
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Advocacy - Build awareness of the mental health needs of older adults.
Training - Develop workforce capability to serve older adults.
Dissemination – Promote broad adoption of evidence-based practice and programs.
Contact Information
Ellen Schneider
Carolina Geriatric Education Center
eschneider@schsr.unc.edu
Debbie Webster
NC Division of Mental Health,
Developmental Disabilities, and
Substance Abuse Services
Debbie.Webster@dhhs.nc.gov
Mary Edwards
NC Division of Aging and Adult Services
Mary.Edwards@dhhs.nc.gov
NC Mental Health and Aging Coalition website: http://www.med.unc.edu/aging/cgec/nc-mental-health-and-aging%20
Focusing attention, building capacity, supporting action
11
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Home4/Home_Page_Spotlights/Spotlight_1/Guidebook.pdf