Mental health is constantly addressed in the modern world, but its impact on older adults is not addressed or understood as often
By 2030, one in six people globally will be aged 60 or over; by 2050, this number will have doubled to over 2 billion. As people live longer, many are at risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
These issues, often overlooked or dismissed as a natural part of ageing, can have significant can take significant mental tolls on individuals.
Living with mental health conditions later in life
Around 14% of adults aged 60 and above live with a mental health disorder.
Conditions like depression and anxiety are the most common, with some older adults also facing the extra burden of dementia or chronic illnesses.
One challenge that makes it harder to improve mental health care for older adults is the stigma surrounding mental health in later life.
Many people view mental health issues in older adults as an inevitable part of ageing, which can discourage older people from seeking help. As a result, these conditions often go unrecognised and untreated, leading to unnecessary suffering and a reduced quality of life.
Feeling connected to society
Like anyone else mental health conditions in older adults are shaped by a combination of biological, social, and environmental factors.
Loneliness and social isolation are major contributors, affecting about a quarter of older people worldwide.
The lack of meaningful social connections can lead to feelings of distress and anxiety, which may exacerbate existing mental health issues. Abuse of older adults, including physical, emotional, or financial abuse by family members or caregivers, is another significant risk factor.
One in six older adults experiences abuse, often in the form of neglect or mistreatment by those they rely on for care.
In addition to these risk factors, many older people face multiple challenges in their life. The loss of a spouse, retirement, or a decline in health can lead to emotional distress.
Older adults with chronic conditions or neurodegenerative diseases like dementia are especially vulnerable. The psychological toll of caregiving for a spouse or loved one with a serious illness can also affect mental well-being, leading to a higher risk of depression and anxiety among caregivers.
Protecting the mental health of our elders
Addressing mental health in older adults needs to look at treatment, prevention and social support.
Mental health promotion for older adults is essential, and strategies to reduce social isolation and loneliness are a key part of this. Social programs that provide opportunities for older people to engage in meaningful activities, such as community groups, volunteering, or arts programs, have improved mental health and life satisfaction.
Support for caregivers through respite care, training, and psychological services can also prevent burnout and reduce the risk of abuse.
Government and health systems need to prioritise the mental health of older adults as well as younger generations.
Using care models that address both mental and physical health, along with training for healthcare providers to recognise and treat mental health conditions in older adults, is important and could be very impactful.
In many countries, older adults still face barriers to accessing mental health services, including ageism, lack of specialised care, and insufficient funding for mental health programs.
Research shows that older adults are often less likely to be referred for treatment, even though they may respond well to interventions like therapy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised the importance of this issue through initiatives like the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), which aims to improve the lives of older people. WHO’s efforts include developing programs to reduce social isolation, address elder abuse, and support mental health care for older adults, particularly in low-resource settings.
![Figure 1. Systemic immune responses elicited by oral dmLT-saponin combinations compared to injected vaccines (A) Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) image of the dmLT and saponin formulation demonstrating the formation of acid-stable micelle particles upon the addition of saponin to dmLT. (B) Preclinical evaluation of systemic serum IgG and IgA antibody responses following prime/boost vaccination. Antibody levels against the microbial protein antigen included in the vaccination were assessed two weeks post-final vaccination in immunized mice. Groups were stratified by vaccination route (intramuscular [IM] or sublingual [SL]) and adjuvant formulation (dmLT [D] and/or saponin [S]). Comparisons with unvaccinated controls (white bars) are shown. Statistical significance between groups is indicated (*P < 0.05), with the SL D+S group achieving the best IgG and IgA responses to vaccine antigen.](https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Figure-01-100x70.jpg "New strategies for an old problem – Oral vaccines research")
