| One out of every five adult Americans suffers with | | | | 1. In most cases, elders are reluctant to undergo |
| mental illness. Some important mental health problems | | | | treatment for their mental health disorder. They |
| that occur during old age include dementia, delirium, | | | | continue to harbor their minds with discomfort and |
| psychosis, schizophrenia and depression. Elders | | | | stigmas, thereby showing resistance to leaving their |
| suffering with mental health problems tend to have | | | | homes and going to a rehabilitation center or a clinic. |
| abnormal cognitive and behavioral patterns that are | | | | 2. Our society has never shown respect or dignity for |
| often associated with decreased ability to function. | | | | individuals suffering from mental health problems. Even |
| Other prominent symptoms that elders usually | | | | a mental health professional is apprehensive about an |
| complain include sleep disturbances, a change in | | | | elderly person with such condition. Beliefs and attitudes |
| appetite and mood differences. | | | | of these professionals do have a significant influence |
| In most cases, mental health problems in elders that | | | | on the quality of medical care provided to the patients. |
| require treatment are quite conveniently ignored. | | | | 3. Medical negligence is another big hurdle. In many |
| Improper treatment of mental illnesses in elders seems | | | | situations, symptoms of mental health diseases are |
| to the most prominent reason contributing to high | | | | just written off as indicators of ageing. |
| suicidal rate in these people. Many of these people | | | | Other major hurdles include scarcity in federal and |
| require specialized mental health services. | | | | state-supported community prevention programs for |
| However, there are several reasons that contribute to | | | | elders, inadequate private health insurance coverage |
| improper mental health services to the elderly. Some | | | | and lack of well-trained mental health staff. |
| of them are listed below: | | | | |