Nearly 20 percent of older adults have one or more mental-health conditions. The mental-health needs of older adults can be especially complex due to co-occurring physical health problems that contribute to a compromised quality of life.
Late-life depression is associated with a wide array of adverse consequences, including psychological suffering, impairment in physical functioning, and increased mortality. Similarly, late-life anxiety is associated with significant impairment in social, family, and occupational functioning, poor perceived emotional and physical health and well-being, and low satisfaction with daily life.