Older Adults and Mental Health (IN: Mental Health: a Report of the Surgeon General)

This chapter provides a detailed discussion of mental health in older adults. After reviewing the normal developmental milestones of aging, the chapter considers the diagnosis, treatment, risk & protective factors, complications, & prevention strategies of elderly mental disorders. It reviews gains that have been realized in making mental health serices available to elderly people, along with continuing obstacles in service delivery. It also identifies elderly mental health supports beyond traditional treatment settings. Suicide risk is discussed throughout. (428 refs)