Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
X. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF SOCIAL AND APPLIED GERONTOLOGY, Antalya, Türkiye, 21 - 23 Kasım 2022, ss.30, (Özet Bildiri)
Purpose: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the mental health problems of the elderly
from a current perspective.
Method: This study is a compilation study using the literature review method.
Results: Aging is a process that affects the physical, mental, social and cognitive health of the
individual, and at the same time, various problems specific to old age such as role and status,
spouse and close relationships, and loss of social support are experienced. It has been reported
that the elderly population is increasing day by day in the world and in Turkey. It is reported
that this increase in the elderly population causes important medical, social and economic
problems, and the frequency of mental health diseases, especially chronic diseases, is
increasing. The elderly, who make up more than 700 million people in the global population,
are at high risk for mental disorders (Turana et al., 2021). In old age, cultural, social and
familial factors as well as biological and psychological factors can cause mental problems,
especially depression, anxiety and senile psychosis. In addition, it is stated that the risk factors
affecting the mental health of the elderly are loneliness and widowhood, poor physical health,
low quality of life and the severity of the symptoms of their patients (Andreas et al., 2022).
Dementia, an important aging problem, can also trigger mental problems. Therefore, the
mental health needs of the elderly are emphasized. It is also stated that there is an increase in
physical activity, morbidity, death, hospitalization and loss of functional status associated with
common mental disorders in the elderly (Maynou et al., 2021). It is reported that depression
and anxiety are very common in the elderly and almost half of them have significant depressive
and anxiety symptoms. Growth in the elderly population means a direct increase in age-related
diseases such as dementia and poor mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety,
suicide, and severe limitations in quality of life among older individuals.
Conclusion: There is a need to identify new and unmet problem areas and develop effective
therapeutic outcomes for this special population. For this reason, it is very important to include
mental health and mental problems in health policies aimed at improving the health of the
elderly with a holistic and social perspective.
Key Words: Elderly, Aging, Mental Health.