Age Concern Dorchester - Home Page Article

Depression casts a cloud over older people in Dorset

As many as one in four older people in Dorset are blighted by depression, according to a new report published by Age Concern. However, most are not getting any support because the illness is often wrongly seen as a natural part of getting older.

The charity found that more than two million older people over the age of 65 in England have symptoms of depression bad enough to need help. But ageist attitudes held by many in our society, including GPs, and ageist rules in the NHS mean that more than eight out of ten older people with clinical depression don not get the treatment they need.

Age Concern’s new campaign, ‘Down, but not out’, aims to improve the quality of life for older people with depression. The charity will be helping older people to recognise the symptoms of depression and encouraging them to seek help. It will also be working with GPs to improve the diagnosis of older people with depression and ensure that effective treatments are available to all, regardless of age.

Peter Lindsley, Information and Advice Manager, Age Concern Dorchester:

“Depression is the most common mental health problem in later life and should not be ignored. If it is not identified and treated, depression can lead to a life of misery. It can often cause other illnesses and in extreme cases even suicide. The negative attitude many people have towards mental health problems makes it difficult for older people to talk about their depression and ask for help. It is scandalous that when they do seek help they may be denied treatment simply because of their age.”

To request a copy of Age Concern’s campaign report, ‘Undiagnosed, Untreated and at risk’ please contact the Age Concern campaigns team on 020 8765 7504 or view it here online.