Mental Health Outcomes and Utilization of Mental Health Care Services in ageing adults in Primary Care.
- 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026
- Project No: 718
- Funding round: FR 10
PI Title: Rathi Ravindrarajah
Lead member: Manchester
"The number and proportion of people aged 60 years and over in the population are increasing, but as an unfortunate consequence increasing numbers of people are living longer with long-term conditions, poor mental health, and frailty. The mental health needs of older adults have not been well-recognised or treated, with some individuals unable to get the same kind of support given to younger adults.
GPs are also more likely to prescribe drugs rather than direct older adults to talking therapies compared to the treatment offered to those who are younger. Medication needed to treat mental health conditions may have side effects such as increasing the risk of falls in older adults
The proper support in addressing the needs of the mental health in older adults is essential. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had an impact on the emotional health in this cohort as they were asked to socially isolate and quarantine, increasing loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Access to mental healthcare services was digitalised to promote social distancing, which has also resulted in a change in the way care is provided even post-pandemic.
However, access to digital services is lower in those who are older and from poorer backgrounds. Hence, it is important to understand whether steps were taken to include these individuals in service delivery.
We will use health care records from patient records to explore the treatment and care provided for depression and anxiety in primary care. We will check the number of older adults who were referred and were able to access mental health care services and how these vary by age, sex, frailty, alcohol consumption, ethnicity, menopause, social, professional, and economic status, and regions across the UK over time.
We will also explore the views and opinions of GPs and patients caring and receiving care for mental health (depression, anxiety) to understand what they feel works well and what does not work.
The knowledge and understanding gained from this work will help healthcare workers and service providers to take the necessary steps to improve care for the mental health of older adults.
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