Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 11
The state of mental health in old-age across the ‘old’ European Union: a systematic review
- Authors:
- RIEDEL-HELLER S.G., BUSSE A., ANGERMEYER M.C.
- Journal article citation:
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113(5), May 2006, pp.388-401.
- Publisher:
- Blackwell Publishing
This review of epidemiological studies conducted in 13 of the 15 countries of the pre-enlargement European Union finds that mental disorders in old age are common, with the most serious threats posed by dementia and depression. While it is clear that the prevalence of dementia increases with age, the pattern with regard to depression is unclear. Evidence on other mental health disorders, including those associated with substance use, mild cognitive impairment, psychotic syndromes, anxiety and somatoform disorders is much less abundant, making it difficult to come to conclusions. In addition, the lack of comparable data means that it is impossible so far to make judgements about differences in the prevalence rates of particular disorders across geographical and cultural boundaries.
COVID-19 and older people: impact on their lives, support and care
- Authors:
- DUBOIS Hans, et al
- Publisher:
- European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 92
- Place of publication:
- Luxembourg
This report captures the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the quality of life of older citizens, including the impact on their well-being, finances, employment and social inclusion. It explores the effects on the use of care services and older people's reliance on other support. The report presents policy measures that have been implemented in EU Member States to support older people along all of the above-mentioned dimensions. These include measures to support independent living and schemes to support the labour market integration of older people or to prevent unemployment, all of which play a role in the quality of life of older citizens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social contacts decreased in all age groups in the EU; mental health deteriorated for people of all ages during the pandemic, but affected young people and the 80+ age group most severely; both decreases and increases in income were less common among older people, for whom pensions proved to be a stable source of income - however, pandemic-related expenditure, such as spending on private transport and care services, caused financial difficulties, especially for low-income groups; during the pandemic, the likelihood of reduced physical activity increased with age; low-tech e-healthcare (by phone) facilitated access to healthcare during COVID-19, however, many older people still preferred face-to-face consultations and almost half of users aged 50+ who opted to use e-healthcare reported that it did not fully meet their needs. (Edited publisher abstract)
Evaluating mental health services for older people
- Author:
- FINCH Jenny
- Publisher:
- Radcliffe
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 212p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
This book provides an account of the current developments in mental health services for older people and describes a robust model for evaluating health and social care to improve these services. Drawing on international experience, it provides accounts of the development of mental health services for older people in the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia. The approaches to evaluating health and social care in these countries are all outlined, and a comparative analysis is given. The services currently offered are patchy, so there is a pressing need for effective mechanisms to be introduced in order to monitor quality.
Depression of older age
- Author:
- COPELAND J.R.M.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, April 1999, pp.304-306.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article introduces the first set of publications from the EURPDEP collaboration, presented in five accompanying papers this issue. The EURODEP Consortium is a Concerted Action Programme funded by the European Commission (EC) with the following objectives: to study the variation of the prevalence of depression in Europe among people aged 65 and over; to compare the clinical features and the mode of presentation of depression in each centre; and where possible to study the social support networks, adverse life events, daily life stresses and other risk factors and the reasons for failure to receive treatment in primary care.
Lifetime abuse and mental health among older persons: a European study
- Author:
- ESLAMI Baheh
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 26(6), 2017, pp.590-607.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study aimed to investigate the association of lifetime abuse and mental health among older persons, considering associated factors (e.g., demographics) through a cross-sectional design. The study recruited 4,467 women and men ages 60-84 years from 7 European cities. Mental health was measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and physical injuries) based on the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale and the UK survey of abuse/neglect of older people. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that country of residence, low educational level, and experienced financial strain increased the odds of probable cases of anxiety and depression. Female sex, white-collar profession, and financial support by social/other benefits/or partner income were associated with higher odds of anxiety, while older age and experience of lifetime injury were associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms. The findings of this study indicate that socioeconomic factors, as well as experienced lifetime severe physical abuse leading to injuries, are significant in perceived mental health of adults in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the relationship between absolute and relative position and late-life depression: evidence from 10 European countries
- Authors:
- LADIN Keren, DANIELS Norman, KAWACHI Ichiro
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 50(1), February 2010, pp.48-59.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Previous research has shown socioeconomic inequality to be associated with higher levels of morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the role of absolute and relative deprivation in predicting late-life depression at both individual and national levels. Data obtained from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe included 22,777 men and women, aged 50 to 104 years, from 10 European countries. Late-life depression was measured using the EURO-D scale. Absolute deprivation was measured using gross domestic product and average household income at the national level and socioeconomic status at the individual level. Relative deprivation was measured by Gini coefficients at the national level and educational achievement at the individual level. Depression ranged from 18% in Denmark to 37% in Spain, part of a clear north-south gradient. Measures of absolute and relative deprivation were significant in predicting depression at both country and individual levels. Results suggest that the negative impact of societal inequality cannot be overcome by increased individual-level or country-level income, and that increases in individual-level income did not mitigate the effect of country-level relative deprivation. Mental health disparities persist throughout later life whereby persons exposed to higher levels of country-level inequality suffer greater morbidity compared with those in countries with less inequality. National variations in the relationship between inequality and depression clearly show the need for further research.
Factors affecting timely recognition and diagnosis of dementia across Europe: from awareness to stigma
- Authors:
- VERNOOIJ-DASSEN Myrra J. F. J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(4), April 2005, pp.377-386.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Timely recognition and diagnosis of dementia is the pre-condition for improving dementia care, but diagnosis often occurs late in the disease process. The aim was to compare facilitators and obstacles to the timely recognition of dementia across eight European Union states, in order to implement established policies for earlier diagnosis. Twenty-three participants from different disciplines, purposively sampled for professional expertise in dementia research and innovative practice, attended two focus groups. Stigma in ageing and dementia, accompanied by a sense that there is little to offer until later on in the disease, underpinned the widespread reluctance of GPs to recognise dementia at an early stage and were major obstacles to the timely diagnosis of dementia across all eight countries. Dementia care services varied widely across Europe. Countries with the greatest development of dementia health care services were characterised by national guidelines, GPs fulfilling a gatekeeper function, multi-disciplinary memory clinics and innovative programmes that stimulated practice and new services. Dementia-related stigma was perceived as being less prominent in these countries. Overcome of delays in the timely diagnosis of dementia needs more than specialist services. They should address the processes associated with stigma, age and dementia, especially where these relate to physician practice and diagnostic disclosure. Stigma is perceived as variable across European States, with a promising finding that its impact is relatively small in countries with the widest range of dementia care services.
Stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders in Europe
- Author:
- LIMA Carlos A. de Mendonca
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(8), August 2003, pp.679-682.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The European Office of the World Health Organization (WHO/EURO) has established a Task Force On Destigmatization. Upon the release of the Technical Statement on Old Age Psychiatry Reducing stigma and discrimination against older people with mental disorders, the Task Force run a small survey in two European subregions to investigate the extent of stigma and discrimination with reference to the elderly person affected from a psychiatric disorder in the countries of those subregions. WHO/EURO mental health counterparts completed a short questionnaire inquiring on the inclusion of epidemiological studies on the elderly in their country's research program; the time devoted to the teaching to old age psychiatry during psychiatric residence; the degree of coverage of services for the elderly person and their caregivers; and the extent of stigma present in society with regard to three psychiatric disorders. Stigma and discrimination seem to be present both in the health sector and among the public at large. The development of effective health and social facilities to support older persons with mental disorders should be a high priority of any strategy to reduce stigma and discrimination. These facilities should coordinate their efforts with those of other sectors of society to reach the highest possible impact.
Promotion and prevention in child, adolescent and young people mental health: the Greek experience of participation in the mental health network programme of the European Commission
- Authors:
- KOLAITIS Gerasimos, TSIANTIS John
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 5(3), August 2003, pp.31-35.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In 1997 the European Commission established the Mental Health Promotion Network to seek out, disseminate and promote best practice in mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders. The Network has commissioned a number of projects including two projects addressing the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Anticipated results included the establishment of criteria to identify good practice, development of a European database of good practice and widespread dissemination of good practice that could be implemented throughout the Community. Discusses the involvement and experiences of the staff employed in one organisation, from Greece, who have participated in the work Network, and highlights some of the difficulties faced and lessons learnt from participation in a multi-national project.
Quality in later life: rights, rhetoric and reality: British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, (30th:Stirling; 2002, 31 August-2 September)
- Editors:
- TESTER S, ARCHIBALD C, ROWLINGS C, TURNER S
- Publisher:
- Department of Applied Social Science, University of Stirling
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 294p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- Stirling
These conference papers explore the issue of quality in later life, the factors that affect older people's experience and their understanding of what matters to them. Gerontologists have much to contribute both to analysis and the promotion of quality in old age. This contribution continues to develop the means by which older people, including those with significant mental or physical disabilities can make themselves participate in the debates by defining their own experiences and what makes a difference to them.