ALARMING new suicide and depression statistics have prompted calls for an investigation into the growing rate of depression among older Australians.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals men aged 85 and over are the most likely to take their own lives. In 2015, 16 per cent of all male suicides and 14 per cent of female suicides occurred in people aged 65 and over. It is believed that 10 to 15 per cent of over-65s experience depression and about 10 per cent experience anxiety.
The rate for those in residential aged care is estimated to be as high as 50 per cent.
These figures have prompted mental health support and information group beyondblue and the National Health and Medical Research Council to join forces to investigate the growing rate of depression among older Australians.
The organisations are running a jointly funded $5 million study that seeks to prevent depression, anxiety and suicide in the demographic, and examine ways to provide treatment.
“Physical deterioration and chronic illness, social isolation, loss of independence and loneliness can make this group more vulnerable to developing depression,” said beyondblue chief executive Georgie Harman.
“beyondblue has invested significant resources in research and programs for the mental health of younger people and adults, but it appears more can be done to examine the health of older Australians.”
- Need help? Lifeline 131-114 www.lifeline.org.au beyondblue 1300-224-636 www.beyondblue.org.au
Frank's plunge into darkness
MARJORIE* was devastated when her husband, retired carpenter Frank,* 74, tried to take his own life.
The 64-year-old mother of two and grandmother of six knew her partner of 40 years was depressed – she just hadn’t realised how depressed.
“About a year after Frank retired I saw he had become a bit down. He’d worked since he was a teenager and retired when he was 69,” she said.
“He enjoyed going to work but he felt his body was letting him down and all his mates were retired so he thought it was his time.
“At first he was a bit lost without the daily routine, but then he threw himself into all the jobs he’d always said he wanted to do but never had the time, like tinkering with cars, doing jobs around the house and gardening.
“We went on a holiday and the garden never looked so good. He read, walked the dog, got fitter and started online shopping.
“He seemed to have settled into retirement really well. Towards the end of the first year he bought a car to do up but after a few months it just sat in the driveway.”
It was then Marjorie began to notice a difference. Frank watched a lot of TV and would sit on the computer for hours. He became that “grumpy old man”.
Conversation became hard. “He started to become forgetful, stopped catching up with mates and had often been drinking when I got home.”
Marjorie was still working full time. “He knew I loved my job and I think he started to resent that I was going out to work and he was left at home.”
Marjorie convinced him to go to the doctor who put him on anti-depressants and recommended he get out more and join a group. The doctor said the forgetfulness was probably just age and depression but suggested Frank see a neurologist to rule out dementia. Frank didn’t go, became convinced he had dementia and his depression became worse.
“It became a bit of a roller coaster, he’d be up for a while then down. Sometimes I didn’t know what person I would be coming home to. Upbeat Frank was the man I had married and lived with all these years, but I dreaded finding Downbeat Frank when I opened the door.
“It amazed me how quickly he spiralled down. The suicide attempt was terrible – not just for Frank but also for me and the whole family.”
Marjorie came home from work a bit early – and just in time. “He went to the hospital but afterwards I didn’t feel there was a lot of support for him or me.
“He spent a week in a mental health ward and saw a psychiatrist who arranged some counselling when he came home, but it was like Frank was in some deep black hole with muddy sides.
“I became afraid to go to work because of what I might find when I came home.”
Eventually Marjorie gave up her job.
“Recently Frank was diagnosed with the early stages of dementia and the doctor says that probably contributed to his depression.
“He has started telling me there’s no point in being alive. He doesn’t want to end up a drooling mess in a nursing home.
“For a while I didn’t go out much by myself. We’d go for drives together and sit by the beach or in a park or go shopping together so I knew he was safe.
“I’ve started to try and rebuild a bit of a life for myself but sometimes I’m the one finding myself thinking it’s all too much.”
* Not their real names.