Grant: Operating Grant

The proportion of Canadians who are seniors is expected to increase dramatically. By 2021, individuals aged 65 years or older will make up almost 18% of the Canadian population. Up to 20% of the elderly live with a psychiatric disorder. Mental illness is associated with a lower physical and emotional health, pain, loss in productivity and mortality. Many elderly do not receive appropriate treatment for their mental illness and psychological distress and the health consequences to this brings about increased use of services and health system costs. In view of these demographic trends and the burden associated with mental illness in the elderly, the financing of mental health care for the elderly is an important issue in Canada. Very few studies, most in the US and Europe, have documented health service use and costs associated with common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety in seniors living in the community. This study will document health care resource use and estimate the per capita excess costs attributable to depression, anxiety, psychotropic drug dependence and the inappropriate prescription of benzodiazepines while taking the health care system and society's perspective. This will provide essential information to decision makers for planning and budgeting services to achieve a balanced mental health care system (where community and institutions are adequately funded) in order to effectively support all mental health client populations; as well as sensitize the general public as to the risks associated with the inappropriate use of psychotropic medication.