Mental health and aging.

While older adults have lower rates of mental disorders compared to younger adults, mental and neurocognitive disorders in late life cause excess disability, poorer health outcomes, and compromised quality of life. Mental disorders may occur early in life with different trajectories and continue into later life, or occur for the first time in late life. Issues of risk – including suicide, elder abuse, and decisional or functional incapacities – are important to recognize and address. While many evidence-based interventions exist, older adults are underserved by mental health professionals. Integrated models of care are particularly important for addressing late life behavioral health concerns.