Planning for mental health critical

The federal government’s recent action to support the care of people with dementia, by marking it as the ninth National Health Priority Area, is welcomed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) – but it believes further improvements to the mental health of older Australians should not be neglected.

Dr Roderick McKay, chair of RANZCP’s faculty of psychiatry of old age, claims: “The focus on dementia must not lead to a community perception that changes in mental function in old age mean a person has dementia”.

“Many other mental illnesses are common and treatable in late life and deserves some attention,” he adds.

According to RANZCP, a high proportion of people living in residential aged care have a diagnosed mental illness. About 35% of older persons living in residential aged care facilities experience anxiety and depression.

“Untreated mental illness robs older Australians of their quality of life, physical health and independence at a significant cost to individuals, family and community.

“While there are effective mental health treatments for older people, limited resources can deny them equitable access and put them at increased risk of inappropriate treatment,” Dr McKay says.

He believes planning for the “mental illness needs” of older people, and access to mental health care is critical.

“Focus on this important area is welcomed and needs to be built upon so there is comprehensive support for the mental health of older people.

“Significant concerns have been raised that it may be too late to prevent a decline in mental health care for older people; however, [the federal government] is in a unique position to quell these fears with action now.”