Prevalence of mental disorders and service utilization in seniors: results from the Canadian community health survey cycle 1.2.

OBJECTIVE

This paper examined the 12-month rate of mental disorders and subsequent service use among Canadian seniors aged 65-79 and 80 and over and adults aged 20-49 and 50-64.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of data [n = 33,695] of the population-based Canadian Community Health survey, Cycle 1.2 (CCHS 1.2). Major Depressive Episodes (MDEs), specific Anxiety Disorders (AD) and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence rates were assessed.

RESULTS

The 12-month rates for the two senior groups aged 65-79 and 80+ for MDEs, ADs, and Substance Dependence (SD) are 1.7% and 1.6%; 1.4% and 0.8%; and 0.1% and 0.0%, respectively. Seniors aged 65-79 and 80+ had significantly lower rates than adults aged 20-49 and 50-64 for all mental disorders and SD. Among the total sample, seniors aged 65-79 and 80+ had significantly lower utilization rates than adults aged 20-49 and 50-64 for all three provider categories (GP only, GP and Other Health Professional, Any Other Health Professional but GP). Females aged 65-79 and 80+ were less likely to have reported service use for mental health reasons as opposed to those females aged 20-49 and 50-64. Males aged 65-79 and 80+ were more likely to have reported having used mental health services in the past 12 months as opposed to males aged 20-49 and 50-64.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of common mental disorders is lower in seniors as compared to younger adults. Age and gender influence mental health service utilization rates. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.