Page 1 of 4

Introduction

Good mental health is as important in older age as it is at any other time of life. Everyone has mental health needs, whether or not they have a diagnosis of mental illness.

Our mental health influences how we think and feel about ourselves and others, our ability to communicate and to manage change. It is central to health and well-being and has a significant impact on overall quality of life (Moriarty, 2005). Mental health is routinely identified by older people themselves as crucial to ageing well.

Page 2 of 4

Introduction

Whilst most older people remain mentally well, they are more likely than younger people to experience mental illness. The negative impact of losses, that tend to accumulate in later life, and physical illness, is widely recognised. How well an older person adjusts to late life challenges is a key factor in determining ongoing mental health. Those older people who are able to adapt well tend to fare better (Victor, 2005). This is an issue we return to later on.

Page 3 of 4

Introduction

Thinking about your own mental health, look at the issues listed below that you consider play an important role in its maintenance or promotion. When you are finished click on ‘Next’.

  • Feeling good about myself
  • Having a role
  • Having a good social network
  • Having an adequate income
  • Living in a supportive neighbourhood
  • Feeling safe
  • Being able to adjust to change
  • Adaptability
  • Being active
  • Contributing to family or community life
  • Independence

Page 4 of 4

Introduction

It is very likely that the issues you consider important to your mental health are very similar to those valued by older people. We’d now like you to explore the research into this area and confirm whether your answers match those identified in research.

Positive Factors

Maintaining/promoting mental health

The research literature on mental health in later life consistently identifies that: being physically fit; having a role; having good social relationships with family, friends and neighbours; an adequate income, and living in a supportive neighbourhood are promoting of mental health (Health Scotland, 2004). Having a positive outlook and maintaining control over one’s life are also key features of good overall quality of life.

Improving mental health

Age Concern - in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation - is part way through a broad-based three-year Inquiry into mental health and well-being in later life. The findings from the first stage, a review of literature, policy and practice, provide some evidence of ‘what works’. This includes: increasing social contact, enhancing participation, learning new skills and sustaining a sense of purpose (Age Concern and the Mental Health Foundation, 2006)

Successful ageing

There is considerable overlap between those issues which contribute to good mental health and those that promote ‘successful ageing’. Recent work with older people themselves suggests that ‘successful ageing’ incorporates the following:

  • being able to adapt to continuous physical change
  • engaging in relationships
  • maintaining independence
  • having enough money to participate
  • fulfilling desires and personal objectives
  • keeping busy by taking part in meaningful activity Reed et al, 2003

Negative Factors

Social Exclusion

Work looking at the social exclusion of older people is also relevant. Research indicates that excluded older people tend to experience poverty, social isolation, minimal engagement with community activities, exclusion from basic services, a fear of crime and anti-social behaviour in the local neighbourhood (Scharf et al, 2002)

Undermining Mental Health

The issues that older people identify as undermining of mental health are: deteriorating health, loss of independence, loneliness, fear of death, living in poor housing and run-down neighbourhood and decreased income (Age Concern, 2002).