Mental Health in Older People Across Cultures

Abstract As people across all nations around the world are beginning to live longer, the World Health Organization estimates the number of older adults is projected to double to 1.5 billion. Population aging has been recognized as one of the four global demographic ‘megatrends’. These trends include population growth, international migration, and urbanization—with continued and lasting impacts on sustainable development, environmental impact, and climate change. Mental Health in Older People Across Cultures provides an overview of the impact cultures have on aging and mental illnesses in this age group. The impact of cultural factors and structural and social determinants of health, as well as economic factors within and across countries, impact on the process of aging, mental health, and illnesses of older adults and their care. The first half of this volume provides a necessary clinical understanding of these factors in aging, and the roles that families and formal and informal caregivers have in the aging process. The second half of the book focuses on specific disorders in older adults across the globe, which are affected by these factors, the various nuances that impact diagnosis and treatment of these disorders, as well as research and development of healthcare policy. This volume takes a global approach to aging and mental health issues, considering the impact of large trends of migration, climate change, and urbanization on older adults.