Objectives: To assess the longitudinal relationship between visual acuity (VA) and depressive symptoms (DSs) among older adults.
Methods: A population-based sample of 2520 white and black individuals aged 65–84 years in 1993--1995 was assessed at baseline and at two, six, and eight years later. Presenting and best-corrected VA was assessed using early treatment diabetic retinopathy study chart. DSs were assessed using the severe depression subscale of General Health Questionnaire 28. Latent growth curve models estimated VA and DS trajectories and age-adjusted associations between trajectories.
Results: Best-corrected logMAR VA worsened over time (slope = 0.026, intercept = 0.013, both p < 0.001). No change in DS over time was observed (slope = −0.001, p = 0.762; intercept = 1.180, p < 0.001). However, a small change in DS was observed in participants who completed all rounds (slope = 0.005, p = 0.015). Baseline VA levels correlated with baseline DS levels (r = 0.14, p < 0.001). Baseline DS was associated with best-corrected VA change (r = 0.17, p = 0.01). Baseline best-corrected VA was not associated with DS change (r = 0.017, p = 0.8). Best-corrected VA change was not significantly associated with DS change (r = −0.03, p = 0.7).
Discussion: DSs are significantly associated with VA cross-sectionally, and persons with higher baseline DS scores were more likely to experience worsening VA over time. The complex relationship between visual impairment and DS suggests the need for a continued effort to detect and treat both visual decline and severe DSs in a growing elderly population.
(Publisher abstract)
Objectives: To assess the longitudinal relationship between visual acuity (VA) and depressive symptoms (DSs) among older adults.
Methods: A population-based sample of 2520 white and black individuals aged 65–84 years in 1993--1995 was assessed at baseline and at two, six, and eight years later. Presenting and best-corrected VA was assessed using early treatment diabetic retinopathy study chart. DSs were assessed using the severe depression subscale of General Health Questionnaire 28. Latent growth curve models estimated VA and DS trajectories and age-adjusted associations between trajectories.
Results: Best-corrected logMAR VA worsened over time (slope = 0.026, intercept = 0.013, both p < 0.001). No change in DS over time was observed (slope = −0.001, p = 0.762; intercept = 1.180, p < 0.001). However, a small change in DS was observed in participants who completed all rounds (slope = 0.005, p = 0.015). Baseline VA levels correlated with baseline DS levels (r = 0.14, p < 0.001). Baseline DS was associated with best-corrected VA change (r = 0.17, p = 0.01). Baseline best-corrected VA was not associated with DS change (r = 0.017, p = 0.8). Best-corrected VA change was not significantly associated with DS change (r = −0.03, p = 0.7).
Discussion: DSs are significantly associated with VA cross-sectionally, and persons with higher baseline DS scores were more likely to experience worsening VA over time. The complex relationship between visual impairment and DS suggests the need for a continued effort to detect and treat both visual decline and severe DSs in a growing elderly population.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
longitudinal studies, older people, depression, mental health, severe mental health problems, visual impairment;
The author argues that the lives of older people are often blighted because may psychiatrists do not recognise paraphrenia, a condition often diagnosed as schizophrenia.
The author argues that the lives of older people are often blighted because may psychiatrists do not recognise paraphrenia, a condition often diagnosed as schizophrenia.
Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, older people, psychiatry, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, diagnosis;
Part one introduces mental health and ageing and looks at basic gerontology for working with older adults. Part two presents models of mental health in later life, including: the psychodynamic model; the behavioural model; stress and coping; and the family systems model. Part three gives an introduction to mental disorders and looks at: cognitive impairment; depression; severe mental illness (including Schizophrenia) in later life; and other disorders and difficulties. Part four is on the contexts of practice.
Part one introduces mental health and ageing and looks at basic gerontology for working with older adults. Part two presents models of mental health in later life, including: the psychodynamic model; the behavioural model; stress and coping; and the family systems model. Part three gives an introduction to mental disorders and looks at: cognitive impairment; depression; severe mental illness (including Schizophrenia) in later life; and other disorders and difficulties. Part four is on the contexts of practice.
Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, mental health services, models, older people, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, social care provision, ageing, depression;
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(4), 1997, pp.303-311.
Publisher:
Wiley
Investigates the prevalence of psychiatric disorders amongst adults with intellectual disabilities aged 65 years and over, living in Leicestershire, UK, compared to a random sample of adults with intellectual disabilities aged 20-64 years, living in the same area. Both groups had high rates of current psychiatric morbidity, but rates were significantly higher in the elderly group. Also found dementia occurs at a much higher rate amongst people with intellectual disabilities than it does amongst the general population.
Investigates the prevalence of psychiatric disorders amongst adults with intellectual disabilities aged 65 years and over, living in Leicestershire, UK, compared to a random sample of adults with intellectual disabilities aged 20-64 years, living in the same area. Both groups had high rates of current psychiatric morbidity, but rates were significantly higher in the elderly group. Also found dementia occurs at a much higher rate amongst people with intellectual disabilities than it does amongst the general population.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mental health, older people, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, assessment, autism, conduct disorders, dementia;
Reports on GP's groaning mental health caseload, an unexpectedly heavy use of ECT and allegations of racism in the admissions system and welcomes the long awaited framework for mental health.
Reports on GP's groaning mental health caseload, an unexpectedly heavy use of ECT and allegations of racism in the admissions system and welcomes the long awaited framework for mental health.
Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, mental health services, older people, hospital admission, racial discrimination, severe mental health problems, social policy, treatment, therapy and treatment, training, caseload, central government, general practitioners;
Community Mental Health Journal, 34(3), June 1998, pp.275-287.
Publisher:
Springer
Examines how age is related to the use of formal and informal mental health services, adjustment to current life conditions, and expectations for improvement in future life conditions among a group of people with serious mental illnesses. Results indicate that younger people receive more help from both informal social networks and from mental health professionals. In addition, younger people are more likely to want improvements in their current life conditions and to be optimistic about what the future holds for them. Concludes that mental service providers should give greater recognition to the impact of age on mental health service needs among persons with serious mental illnesses.
Examines how age is related to the use of formal and informal mental health services, adjustment to current life conditions, and expectations for improvement in future life conditions among a group of people with serious mental illnesses. Results indicate that younger people receive more help from both informal social networks and from mental health professionals. In addition, younger people are more likely to want improvements in their current life conditions and to be optimistic about what the future holds for them. Concludes that mental service providers should give greater recognition to the impact of age on mental health service needs among persons with serious mental illnesses.
Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, mental health services, older people, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, social networks, young people, ageing, attitudes, families;
Journal of Mental Health, 6(4), August 1997, pp.331-334.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
London
Critically reviews the Green paper on mental health published by the last Conservative government in 1997, and puts forward an alternative policy agenda.
Critically reviews the Green paper on mental health published by the last Conservative government in 1997, and puts forward an alternative policy agenda.
Subject terms:
joint commissioning, mental health, mental health problems, mental health services, older people, policy, primary care, severe mental health problems, social services, community care, children, health authorities, government policy;
Great Britain. Welsh Office. NHS Directorate. Welsh Health Planning Forum
Publication year:
1995
Pagination:
520p.,bibliog.
Place of publication:
Cardiff
Set of papers compiled by the Health Gain Panel of Review with the aim of improving the provision of services to people with mental health problems in Wales. Includes sections on: the epidemiology of mental illness; promoting mental health; mixed anxiety depressive syndrome; depression; bipolar affective disorders; schizophrenia; dementia; personality disorders; suicide and parasuicide; eating disorders; child and adolescent mental health; older people with mental health problems; homelessness and mental health; and therapies.
Set of papers compiled by the Health Gain Panel of Review with the aim of improving the provision of services to people with mental health problems in Wales. Includes sections on: the epidemiology of mental illness; promoting mental health; mixed anxiety depressive syndrome; depression; bipolar affective disorders; schizophrenia; dementia; personality disorders; suicide and parasuicide; eating disorders; child and adolescent mental health; older people with mental health problems; homelessness and mental health; and therapies.
Subject terms:
homelessness, mental health, mental health problems, mental health services, older people, personality disorders, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, suicide, young people, anxiety, children, dementia, depression, eating disorders, family therapy;
Guide to the diagnosis and treatment of the range of disorders affecting elderly people. Each disorder is discussed from a social work perspective, integrating the biological, psychological, and social dimension of the problem. Topics include: depressive disorders; Alzheimer's Disease; anxiety states; alcohol abuse; suicide; schizophrenia; paranoia; the autistic elderly; and fears and phobias.
Guide to the diagnosis and treatment of the range of disorders affecting elderly people. Each disorder is discussed from a social work perspective, integrating the biological, psychological, and social dimension of the problem. Topics include: depressive disorders; Alzheimer's Disease; anxiety states; alcohol abuse; suicide; schizophrenia; paranoia; the autistic elderly; and fears and phobias.
Subject terms:
mental health, older people, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, sexuality, suicide, alcohol misuse, Alzheimers disease, anxiety, autism, dementia, depression, drug misuse;
Aims to help professionals to understand the important role that communication plays in mental health and apply that knowledge in a variety of mental health settings. The first part of the book provides theoretical background to the methods of communication adopted by people with a range of diagnoses of mental illness. It also makes practical suggestions as to how this information can improve the professional's management of patients. Part Two looks at how information about communication in mental illness can influence service provision, with suggestions for future policy and practice. Concludes with a section describing the state of current research.
Aims to help professionals to understand the important role that communication plays in mental health and apply that knowledge in a variety of mental health settings. The first part of the book provides theoretical background to the methods of communication adopted by people with a range of diagnoses of mental illness. It also makes practical suggestions as to how this information can improve the professional's management of patients. Part Two looks at how information about communication in mental illness can influence service provision, with suggestions for future policy and practice. Concludes with a section describing the state of current research.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mental health, mental health problems, mentally disordered offenders, older people, personality disorders, psychiatry, schizophrenia, severe mental health problems, speech therapy, transgender people, transsexual people, autism, communication disorders, communication, depression, hearing impairment;