In Case You Haven't Heard…
For many older adults, dealing with anxiety and depression might feel like an expected part of growing older. But mental health concerns aren't a normal part of aging, according to Caring.com. The University of Utah Health noted that one in five older adults has a mental health concern, and as many as 63% don't receive appropriate care. In April 2025, Caring.com surveyed 4,000 seniors aged 65 and older about their anxiety and depression. Almost half (47%) of surveyed seniors say they have anxiety, while 17% note having depression only. The other 35% of respondents have both anxiety and depression. Almost one‐third of polled seniors say they have a clinical diagnosis for their anxiety and/or depression. Women were more likely than men (34% compared to 30%) to have an official diagnosis. About one‐quarter of seniors say they use entertainment and hobbies to take their mind off stress and lift their mood. This is good news: According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults who take part in activities they enjoy may live longer, feel happier, and decrease their likelihood of developing some diseases, like heart disease or dementia.
Publication Details
- Journal
- Mental Health Weekly
- Published
- 2025-05-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/mhw.34470
- Primary Topic
- Aging and Gerontology Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00