Watchdog alarmed by lack of acute mental health beds for the elderly

There is an “alarming” lack of acute mental health beds for the elderly, warns a just-published report from the Mental Health Commission (MHC).

The report published today (December 4), also highlighted “serious under-resourcing” of community mental health services for Ireland’s senior citizens.

The mental health watchdog said it was now calling on the Government to improve the provision of mental health services for older people as a matter of urgency.

Author of the ‘Mental Health Services for Older People’ report, the MHC’s Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Susan Finnerty, said elderly mental health did not get the attention it deserved.

Dr Finnerty also noted that Ireland’s elderly population was growing, with the Central Statistics Office predicting that the number of people aged 65 years and older would increase to almost 1.6 million by 2051 from 629,800 in 2016 — with more than 470,000 of those aged over 80.

“The levels of unmet mental health needs amongst older people are extremely high and improving current services is necessary,” Dr Finnerty said.

“This work is essential if we are to meet the mental health needs of an ageing population into the future.”

With Covid-19 mortality rates highest in the older population groups, Dr Finnerty said she was also recommending more single-bed units be made available to elderly patients in residential units.

“Approximately 4.5 per cent of older people currently live in a congregated or residential care setting,” she said.

This is approximately 40 per cent higher than the current European average. “And as this report makes patently clear, the level of service is already substandard in numerous areas,” Dr Finnerty added.

Ireland, her report also stated, had 1.2 dedicated acute mental health beds for older people per 100,000, compared with 6 per 100,000 in England and 9.7 in Northern Ireland.

“The current delivery of some inpatient mental healthcare to older people in general adult mental health units – rather than in dedicated units – constitutes a risk to the safety of older people and does not meet their therapeutic needs,” said Dr Finnerty.

“Even when variations across culturally similar countries are allowed for, Ireland has an alarming under provision of acute mental health beds for older people.”

Commenting on the report, MHC Chief Executive John Farrelly said it “clearly demonstrated” that Ireland was failing to provide a “comprehensive mental health service” for the older population.

“Our parents, grandparents and older people generally deserve the best care and treatment that this country can provide, but it is clear from this report that we have a lot of work to do,” he said.