There is an urgent need to shine a light into the difficulties which some people experience after age 65 if they either have a long-standing mental health condition (e.g. schizophrenia) or if they develop one (e.g. depression or anxiety). During 2019 VHS has collaborated with Support in Mind Scotland and colleagues from across the third and public sectors, to scope what happens to people with mental health conditions other than (or in addition to) dementia once they become 65.  Issues we have been exploring include under-diagnosis, under-provision, poor transitions from ‘adult’ services to ‘older people’ services, discrimination and flouting of human rights.  It is said that for some people with serious mental health issues, their 65th birthday is like ‘falling off a cliff’ in terms of service provision. More evidence and action is needed if policy and practice is to improve.

We have now held two round tables and commissioned two evidence reports on this topic, which together are helping us build the case for change.

Read the documents produced so far:

MENTAL HEALTH IN LATER LIFE BRIEFING PAPER

FALLING OFF A CLIFF (1) ROUND TABLE 29 04 19

FALLING OFF A CLIFF (2) ROUND TABLE 30 10 19

EVIDENCE SUMMARY OF MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS 65+

SURVEY OF CONSULTANT OLD AGE PSYCHIATRISTS

To contribute evidence to this work or to find out how to get involved, please email our Chief Executive Claire Stevens