
Psychiatr Serv 50:1158-1166, September 1999
© 1999 American Psychiatric Association
Special Section on Mental Health & Aging |
The Epidemiology of Common Late-Life Mental Disorders in the Community: Themes for the New Century
Joseph J. Gallo, M.D., M.P.H. and
Barry D. Lebowitz, Ph.D.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The prevalence and incidence of the major mental disorders of late life that are common in the community and in primary health care are reviewed. METHODS: Community-based studies in English that included older adults were identified through MEDLINE searches and were reviewed. RESULTS: As the population ages, dementia, depression, and other mental conditions of the aged will demand more attention from clinicians and investigators to minimize their effects on disability, the use of health care services, and the quality of life for older adults and caregivers. Up to 15 to 20 percent of older adults have significant depressive symptoms, and it is estimated that as many as 45 percent of persons age 85 years and older have significant cognitive impairment and dementia. Other mental-health-related conditions, such as anxiety disorders, alcohol abuse, and prescription medicine misuse, are also important considerations but have not been as well studied as depression and dementia. Because an increasing proportion of older adults are members of minority groups, clinicians need to increase their awareness of how cultural factors relate to risk for mental disorders in late life. CONCLUSIONS: Attention to three themes may help clinicians and investigators meet the challenge of treating the common mental disorders of later life: the effect of these disorders on functioning, prevention of the consequences of mental disorders, and integration of mental health care and primary health care services.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
S.-I. Hong, L. Hasche, and S. Bowland
Structural Relationships Between Social Activities and Longitudinal Trajectories of Depression Among Older Adults
Gerontologist,
March 18, 2009;
(2009)
gnp006v1.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. Hyer, C. A. Yeager, N. Hilton, and A. Sacks
Group, Individual, and Staff Therapy: An Efficient and Effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Long-Term Care
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias,
January 1, 2009;
23(6):
528 - 539.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S.M.M. Carvalhais, M.F. Lima-Costa, S.V. Peixoto, J.O.A. Firmo, E. Castro-Costa, and E. Uchoa
The Influence of Socio-Economic Conditions On the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Covariates in an Elderly Population With Slight Income Differences: the Bambui Health and Aging Study (Bhas)
International Journal of Social Psychiatry,
September 1, 2008;
54(5):
447 - 456.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. N. Wittink, B. Dahlberg, C. Biruk, and F. K. Barg
How Older Adults Combine Medical and Experiential Notions of Depression
Qual Health Res,
September 1, 2008;
18(9):
1174 - 1183.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. K. Proctor, L. Hasche, N. Morrow-Howell, M. Shumway, and G. Snell
Perceptions About Competing Psychosocial Problems and Treatment Priorities Among Older Adults With Depression
Psychiatr Serv,
June 1, 2008;
59(6):
670 - 675.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
F. K. Barg, R. Huss-Ashmore, M. N. Wittink, G. F. Murray, H. R. Bogner, and J. J. Gallo
A mixed-methods approach to understanding loneliness and depression in older adults.
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci.,
November 1, 2006;
61(6):
S329 - S339.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. C. Norton, I. Skoog, L. M. Franklin, C. Corcoran, J. T. Tschanz, P. P. Zandi, J. C. S. Breitner, K. A. Welsh-Bohmer, D. C. Steffens, and for the Cache County Investigators
Gender differences in the association between religious involvement and depression: the cache county (utah) study.
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci.,
May 1, 2006;
61(3):
P129 - P136.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. C. Steffens, E. Otey, G. S. Alexopoulos, M. A. Butters, B. Cuthbert, M. Ganguli, Y. E. Geda, H. C. Hendrie, R. R. Krishnan, A. Kumar, et al.
Perspectives on Depression, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Cognitive Decline
Arch Gen Psychiatry,
February 1, 2006;
63(2):
130 - 138.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. D. Dunlop, L. M. Manheim, J. Song, J. S. Lyons, and R. W. Chang
Incidence of Disability Among Preretirement Adults: The Impact of Depression
Am J Public Health,
November 1, 2005;
95(11):
2003 - 2008.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. M. Langa, M. A. Valenstein, A. M. Fendrick, M. U. Kabeto, and S. Vijan
Extent and Cost of Informal Caregiving for Older Americans With Symptoms of Depression
Am J Psychiatry,
May 1, 2004;
161(5):
857 - 863.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. Lieff, M. Andrew, and R. Tiberius
Community Psychiatrists Who See Geriatric Patients: What's Training Got to Do With It?
Acad Psychiatry,
March 1, 2004;
28(1):
27 - 33.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. M. Cummings
The Efficacy of an Integrated Group Treatment Program for Depressed Assisted Living Residents
Research on Social Work Practice,
September 1, 2003;
13(5):
608 - 621.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B. A. Husaini, D. E. Sherkat, M. Moonis, R. Levine, C. Holzer, and V. A. Cain
Racial Differences in the Diagnosis of Dementia and in Its Effects on the Use and Costs of Health Care Services
Psychiatr Serv,
January 1, 2003;
54(1):
92 - 96.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Klapow, K. Kroenke, T. Horton, S. Schmidt, R. Spitzer, and J. B. W. Williams
Psychological Disorders and Distress in Older Primary Care Patients: A Comparison of Older and Younger Samples
Psychosom Med,
July 1, 2002;
64(4):
635 - 643.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. L. Morris
Geriatric Mental Health: An Overview
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association,
December 1, 2001;
7(6):
S2 - S7.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. J. Gallo and J. C. Coyne
The Challenge of Depression in Late Life: Bridging Science and Service in Primary Care
JAMA,
September 27, 2000;
284(12):
1570 - 1572.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. C. Halpain, M. J. Harris, F. S. McClure, and D. V. Jeste
Training in Geriatric Mental Health: Needs and Strategies
Psychiatr Serv,
September 1, 1999;
50(9):
1205 - 1208.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Get information about faster international access.
a>
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 1999
American Psychiatric Association.
All rights reserved.
Home
| Search
| Current Issue
| Past Issues
| Subscribe
| All APPI Journals
| Help
| Contact Us
|