Mental Health Support at Home

Mental Health in Older Adults

Mental health problems are not a normal part of ageing — but they are common. Around 22% of men and 28% of women over 65 have depression, yet it is frequently dismissed as "just getting old" or not identified at all.

Factors that increase mental health risk in older adults include:

• Bereavement and loss of peers and partner
• Loss of independence through physical health decline
• Social isolation and reduced mobility
• Financial worries and housing concerns
• Chronic pain or long-term health conditions
• Caring responsibilities for a partner or family member
• Cognitive decline or dementia diagnosis

Mental health problems in older adults are treatable. They do not have to be accepted as inevitable.

Depression

Depression is more than feeling sad. Symptoms in older adults may include:

• Persistent low mood, tearfulness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Withdrawal from social contact
• Fatigue, low energy, disturbed sleep
• Poor appetite or weight loss
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• In older adults particularly: unexplained physical symptoms, irritability, or increased memory complaints

If you notice these signs in someone you care for, encourage them to speak to their GP. Effective treatments exist including talking therapies, medication, and social prescription.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health problem at all ages. In older adults it often presents as:

• Excessive worry about health, safety or the future
• Reluctance to leave the home or try new things
• Physical symptoms — palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness (often attributed to physical illness)
• Checking behaviours — repeatedly seeking reassurance
• Sleep problems, particularly difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or feeling "on edge"

Anxiety can be significantly reduced with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is available on the NHS through IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services.

Loneliness

Chronic loneliness is associated with equivalent health risks to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Around 1.4 million older people in the UK describe themselves as often lonely.

Loneliness is distinct from being alone — it is the subjective feeling of inadequate social connection. It can affect people even when family is nearby, if meaningful connection is absent.

Regular, consistent social contact — the same person visiting at the same time — is one of the most effective ways to address loneliness. This is something a home carer can provide.

How Home Care Helps

Ekvarta carers are not mental health professionals, but the care they provide directly supports mental wellbeing:

Professional Mental Health Support

Home care complements but does not replace mental health treatment. Options include:

• GP referral — first port of call. Can refer to talking therapies, mental health teams, or prescribe medication
• IAPT/Talking Therapies — self-refer online at NHS Talking Therapies
• Older People's Mental Health Team — specialist community team for complex or severe cases, accessed via GP referral
• Silver Line — free helpline for older adults: 0800 470 8090 (24 hours)
• MIND — mental health charity with local services and information: 0300 123 3393
• Samaritans — 116 123 — for anyone struggling, not only people in crisis