APA Fact Sheet on Mental Health and Aging

The Mental Health Needs of Older Americans

Adults aged 65 and older are the fastest growing population in the United States.

Twenty percent of older adults in the community and 75% of nursing home residents experience some form of mental disorder.

The most common mental health concerns for older adults are depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment.

Older Americans have the highest suicide rate of any age group in our country.

The Unmet Mental Health Needs of Older Americans

Older Americans under-utilize mental health services; only one-half of those who acknowledge their mental disorder receive treatment.

Less than 3% of older adults see mental health professionals for treatment.

Many older adults are most likely to visit primary care physicians, who are often inadequately trained to assess and treat mental and behavioral health concerns.

Access to mental health services for older adults significantly compromised by healthcare benefit limitations and fragmented healthcare services.

Minority and rural older Americans are at an even greater risk of having limited access to appropriate mental health services.

THE POSITIVE AGING ACT (H.R. 2241 and S. 1456)

The Positive Aging Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 22, 2003 by Reps. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), and in the Senate by Senator John Breaux (D-LA) on July 25, 2003.

This legislation is designed to enhance access to vital mental health services for older Americans through mental health outreach to primary care and community-based settings by:

Offering competitive grants to projects that integrate multi-disciplinary mental health programs into primary care settings

Establishing competitive grants to public or private community-based providers that offer interdisciplinary mental health services for older adults

Designating a Deputy Director for Older Adult Mental Health Services within the Center for Mental Health Services in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to develop and implement initiatives to address the mental health needs of older adults

Reserving positions on the advisory council of the Center for Mental Health Services for representatives of older Americans and their families as well as mental health and aging specialists.

APA STRONGLY RECOMMENDS:

The American Psychological Association (APA) strongly supports the Positive Aging Act because of its commitment to improving access to mental health care for older adults. Improved access to care will play a critical role in enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional well being of older Americans.

APA recommends full support of the Positive Aging Act (H.R. 2241) to improve access to mental health care for older Americans.

For more information, please contact Diane Elmore, Ph.D. in APA’s Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6097.

February 2004