Shock figures reveal scale of pensioners suffering depression

that it is likely there are more people in our area who are yet to seek help – the true number of older people living with depression will be far higher than the data shows.

Across England, there were 15,941 pensioners newly diagnosed with depression in 2016/17.

Loneliness in old age could be one reason why pensioners are getting depressed.

According to Age UK, feeling lonely has been shown to heighten feelings of depression, anxiety, and vulnerability.

The charity says that depression in older life can be triggered by bereavement, retirement, and housing issues, among other things.

In fact, charity Independent Age says that more than one-in-three people aged 75 and older experience feelings of loneliness out of their control. Joel Lewis, of Age UK, said: “We know that loneliness and bereavement are massive factors in pensioners getting depressed. “Often pensioners are full-time carers for family members which can be isolating in itself, and when pensioners stop working they can also feel lonely. Financial issues from a lack of a job can also be a cause of depression. “The chance of getting depression is seven times greater in people with two or more chronic health problems, which older people are more likely to have. “Pensioners need to make sure they prioritise their mental health – and not just physical conditions – when visiting their GP. They may find that at the end of their appointment they haven’t even

It’s important that we change attitudes towards mental health in older people

touched on their mental health at all.

“It’s important that we change attitudes towards mental health in older people because it isn’t just something that affects younger people.

“Cognitive behavioural therapies can help people with depression, but alarmingly we’ve found that the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme, which aims to refer 12 per cent of pensioners on to treatment is actually referring just 6pc of pensioners.

“One of the reasons for that could be because pensioners might have mobility issues which restrict them travelling to treatment.

“Older people with mental health concerns can research MindEd, which helps to educate about mental health in pensioners.”

Symptoms of depression can include a lack of interest and inability to enjoy things, feeling tired, being reluctant to engage in usual activities or leave the house, and losing or gaining weight over a short period of time.