The Health Secretary Andy Burnham says age discrimination in the NHS must end and there is particular concern about the treatment given to those over 65 suffering from mental health problems.
It seems that treatment or support for Mental Health problems stops at the age of 65; it also seems that for every 1 million older people with depression 850,000 receive no treatment.
“The Royal College of Psychiatrists has collected numerous examples of older people who have been left without the support they desperately need.
Such as Mr M, a 78-year-old man who attended a local hospital emergency department at 10pm on a Friday night. He had become severely depressed after the death of his wife and had suicidal thoughts.”
But because the 24-hour crisis resolution and home treatment service provided by the mental health trust will only see people younger than 65 years of age, and there is no equivalent service for older people, no support was available to Mr M until the following working week.
Then there was the case of Mrs A, a 72-year-old lady suffering from traumatic bereavement after her son killed himself.
She was willing to have psychological treatment - but the local service for psychological therapy was limited to people under the age of 65.
Her condition remains distressing and she continues to be at risk.
The Government and the NHS have had years to assess and rectify this situation, but as usual nothing has been done, as usual the Government and the NHS have ignored the impending problems that come with an ageing population; bereavement, loneliness, ill health and poverty.
In 2007, for the first time in the UK, the number of people aged 65 or over was greater than those aged under 16.
And this number is projected to increase by another 15% in the next 10 years.
“They” tell older people to keep fit, eat properly, and work until you drop which not only benefits those people but also the country through reduced NHS costs and taxes.
But when the ‘older’ person becomes depressed or suicidal there is no help available because they are ‘too old’ to deserve treatment, not worthy of money being spent on them because of their advancing years.
Eventually we will all be “older” and would you like to be consigned to the ‘Not worth it’ pile?
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
AnglishLit
Angus Dei politico
It seems that treatment or support for Mental Health problems stops at the age of 65; it also seems that for every 1 million older people with depression 850,000 receive no treatment.
“The Royal College of Psychiatrists has collected numerous examples of older people who have been left without the support they desperately need.
Such as Mr M, a 78-year-old man who attended a local hospital emergency department at 10pm on a Friday night. He had become severely depressed after the death of his wife and had suicidal thoughts.”
But because the 24-hour crisis resolution and home treatment service provided by the mental health trust will only see people younger than 65 years of age, and there is no equivalent service for older people, no support was available to Mr M until the following working week.
Then there was the case of Mrs A, a 72-year-old lady suffering from traumatic bereavement after her son killed himself.
She was willing to have psychological treatment - but the local service for psychological therapy was limited to people under the age of 65.
Her condition remains distressing and she continues to be at risk.
The Government and the NHS have had years to assess and rectify this situation, but as usual nothing has been done, as usual the Government and the NHS have ignored the impending problems that come with an ageing population; bereavement, loneliness, ill health and poverty.
In 2007, for the first time in the UK, the number of people aged 65 or over was greater than those aged under 16.
And this number is projected to increase by another 15% in the next 10 years.
“They” tell older people to keep fit, eat properly, and work until you drop which not only benefits those people but also the country through reduced NHS costs and taxes.
But when the ‘older’ person becomes depressed or suicidal there is no help available because they are ‘too old’ to deserve treatment, not worthy of money being spent on them because of their advancing years.
Eventually we will all be “older” and would you like to be consigned to the ‘Not worth it’ pile?
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
AnglishLit
Angus Dei politico
1 comment:
Cut off day is getting too close for comfort for me. Already been labelled as mentally ill anyway but that didn't get me any help although I can assure future nutters (as we are thought of by many) that the Gov't is riding to the rescue; pre-65 of course, in the shape of a new cohort of therapists. These will be predominantly Cognitive Behavioural Therapists who will pretty much tell you that it's all in your mind and you are exaggerating it all out of proportion to the reality. Doh!
You will only get this after an assessment for which there is a six week waiting list ( to see a nurse ! ). Then if you're lucky or not depending on your view you will get a short course of CBT possibly involving group therapy and if that doesn't see you right well tough luck and f**k off.
That's the good news !
Most of us get stuff all and if your not poor you give in and pay for your own therapy. That is unless your an NHS Manager then you will get a private referall and treatment paid for by the good old taxpayer.
CBT is bollocks and fails to address most issues that bring people like me to the edge of darkness. It has been shown to help a few with short term depression rooted in simple causes, but is really a cheap plaster placed over a deep wound; the blood seeps out quite soon. It's quick to learn, easy to teach and then we have yet another Health Care Professional to add to the list. Makes Gord think he's doing something that looks good and that appeals to his dour mean spirit. As a god fearing Scot he can't see why we can't pull ourselves together anyway. He'll stick us all on the Liverpool Care Protocol once we get even slightly gaga anyway and solve our mental health problems in about three to four days with DEATH.
Post a Comment