11 Facts About the Mental Health of Senior Citizens

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1. Depression affects 15 out of every 100 American adults age 65 or older.^[SPRY Foundation. "Mental Health & Aging." Mental Health and Aging. http://www.spry.org/pdfMentalHealth.pdf]
2. Seniors who exercise have better physical health and experience less anxiety and depression. Host a dance party at your local senior center to improve physical and mental health for the seniors in your community. Sign up for Dancing With the Seniors!^[SPRY Foundation. "Mental Health & Aging." Mental Health and Aging. http://www.spry.org/pdfMentalHealth.pdf]
3. In 2001, 4.4 million Americans were over the age of 85, and it is estimated that by 2050, 20 million Americans will be over 85.^[SPRY Foundation. "Mental Health & Aging." Mental Health and Aging. http://www.spry.org/pdfMentalHealth.pdf]
4. Among older people, medical illnesses like Alzheimer's and other dementias are a common trigger for depression, and often depression will worsen the symptoms of those other illnesses.^["GMHF: Geriatric Mental Health Foundation." GMHF: Geriatric Mental Health Foundation. http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/Consumer/factsheets/depression_holidays.html.]
5. Americans age 65 and older have the highest rate of suicide of any other population group in the united states.^["GMHF: Geriatric Mental Health Foundation." GMHF: Geriatric Mental Health Foundation. http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/Consumer/factsheets/depression_holidays.html.]
6. By age 75, about 1 in 3 men and 1 in 2 women don't get ANY physical activity.^[Surgeon General, “Physical Activity and Health: Older Adults,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, accessed February 4, 2014]
7. Researchers at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago found that for healthy seniors with intact memory (average age was 80), the risk of becoming disabled fell 7% for every hour spent each week being physically active.^[Fitness and Good Mental Health: Exercise Brings Many Benefits." Fisher Center Foundation. http://www.alzinfo.org/11/alz-guide/fitness-good-mental-health-exercise-brings-benefits]
8. Exercising 3 times a week could be more effective than medication in relieving the symptoms of major depression in elderly people and may also decrease the chances that the depression will return over time.^[Livni, Ephrat. "Study: Exercise Treats Elderly Depression." ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Depression/story?id=117946.]
9. Medication side effects contribute to depression in the elderly; the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other ailments and a sense of loss that are perhaps different from depression younger people may experience.^[Livni, Ephrat. "Study: Exercise Treats Elderly Depression." ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Depression/story?id=117946 (accessed July 10, 2014).]
10. Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and obesity.^[Exercise and Fitness Over 50." Elderly Exercise Ideas for Better Health. http://www.helpguide.org/life/senior_fitness_sports.htm.]
11. Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for adults over 50. Inactivity often causes older adults to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses.^[Exercise and Fitness Over 50." Elderly Exercise Ideas for Better Health. http://www.helpguide.org/life/senior_fitness_sports.htm .]