Abstract
While most older adults say their mental health is very good, a third or more have symptoms associated with emotional health challenges, according to a new survey released by the AARP that focuses on how much the pandemic has taken its toll on their mental health.
While most older adults say their mental health is very good, a third or more have symptoms associated with emotional health challenges, according to a new survey released by the AARP that focuses on how much the pandemic has taken its toll on their mental health.
The survey, “COVID and Mental Health: A Look at How Older Adults Are Managing the Emotional Impact of the Pandemic,” highlights how COVID is impacting older adults' emotional well‐being specifically and highlights a bigger issue related to a possible incongruence between declining emotional well‐being and seeking help with mental health issues among those 50 and over, the researchers stated.
“Mental health and emotional well‐being — especially during a pandemic — needs to be front and center in our treatment of overall well‐being, including physical health,” Alison Bryant, AARP senior vice president of research, told MHW. “Taking charge or seeking help to address these issues is so important, and this recent research shows how pervasive the issues are for older adults.”
Methodology
The 2021 AARP COVID and Emotional Well‐Being Survey was carried out online from April 22 to 26 with 1,016 adults ages 50‐plus. This nationwide survey was carried out utilizing NORC on the College of Chicago's AmeriSpeak 50+ Omnibus probability‐based pattern.
Findings
When asked about mental health, most older adults ages 50‐plus say their mental health is very good. According to a recent National Poll on Healthy Aging survey, over six in 10 (65%) older adults ages 50 to 80 rated their mental health as excellent or very good, and over a quarter (27%) rated their mental health as good.
However, when asked about specific emotional health measures, researchers found half or more adults ages 50 and older say in the past two weeks, they have been bothered with difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (56%) and/or anxiety (49%). About one‐third say they have had little interest or pleasure in doing things (37%) and/or they have felt down, depressed or hopeless (32%).
The majority of those 50 and older say the pandemic has increased their level of concern about the future (77%) and general worry (76%). Similarly, roughly seven in 10 say they have an increased level of depression (69%) and anxiety (68%). Half (50%) of those 50‐plus say the pandemic has increased their level of anger in general. These findings are supported by recent results from the National Poll on Healthy Aging survey, which found many older adults ages 50 to 80 report experiencing worse depression or sadness, anxiety and worry since the start of the pandemic.
Not seeking support
Despite a decline in emotional well‐being among older adults, few have sought help from a mental health professional in the past year. Although the vast majority of older adults say they have experienced a decline in their emotional well‐being (i.e., increased anxiety, depression, worry, etc.), only one in eight (12%) sought help from a mental health professional. About a third (32%) of those who sought help from a mental health professional in the past year say they sought help as a result of the pandemic. Interestingly, nearly half (45%) of older adults ages 50‐plus say prior to the start of the pandemic it was likely they would have sought help from a mental health provider if they had mental health concerns, and about one in seven (15%) say the experience of the pandemic has increased the likelihood they would seek help from a mental health provider.
This finding seems to be counter to actual experience given the high percentage of adults ages 50‐plus experiencing mental health issues and the low percentage of adults ages 50‐plus who have sought help from a mental health professional for these issues, according to the survey. While it isn't evident in the number of older adults who say they have sought help with mental health issues, it seems as though the pandemic experience has had some impact on the likelihood older adults will seek help from a mental health provider. Roughly two in 10 (22%) adults ages 50 and older who were likely to seek mental health assistance prior to the pandemic say the experience of the pandemic has increased the likelihood that they would seek help from a mental health provider. Perhaps more importantly, for those who were unlikely to seek help from a mental health provider prior to the pandemic, close to one in 10 (8%) say as a result of the pandemic, they are now more likely to seek help for mental health concerns, according to the survey.
‘Taking charge or seeking help to address these issues is so important, and this recent research shows how pervasive the issues are for older adults.’
Alison Bryant
While it is understandable to see a decline in mental health or emotional well‐being during these trying times, this is not a normal part of aging, the researchers stated. To combat possible hesitation on the part of older adults, it is important that access to mental health treatment is easy, seamless and normalized, they added. Ensuring mental health and emotional well‐being is addressed during all medical visits is an invaluable step toward ensuring older adults receive comprehensive care, the researchers concluded.