Policy Context for Mental Health and Older People

The ‘problem’ of old age dominated post-war old age policy and practice, and for years after its abolition in 1948, the Poor Law continued to exert a considerable influence on progress in policy and practice. Expectations about the care of older people were low, fuelled by assumptions of inevitable decline, and institutional care continued to be the assumed means by which formal care was provided. Mental health services continued to be dogged by low expectations and the marginalisation both of older people with mental health problems and gerontological mental health services. Since the 1980’s there has been a significant growth in the development of policy which has in turn led to improvement in services. This chapter reviews key mental health and ageing policy and argues that while there is evidence of positive change and improvement, significant areas of development remain.