By Charlotte Webster-
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Age UK Oxfordshire have merged forces to support a national campaign aimed at addressing depression in the elderly, and encouraging greater access to therapy, like the free, confidential NHS service Talking Space Plus. This service has helped over 100,000 people in Oxfordshire since its creation in 2009.
Some members of the group also provide talking therapy themselves to empower those suffering with high levels of anxiety .Active participants of the group want to raise awareness of how elderly people can beat depression and loneliness and make the most of life. Several letters are also being sent to all surgeries in the county inviting GPs to talk to patients about depression and anxiety, increase referrals and to not offer medication as a first treatment option.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Penny Thewlis, Age UK Oxfordshire chief executive, said: “Depression and anxiety in later life, especially over the age of 65, are often dismissed as a normal part of ageing. It isn’t normal.
“We want every older person to be able to enjoy later life. No one should feel they just have to get on with it.”
She added: “Isolation and loneliness can be factors in poor mental health and we also know from research that if someone has long term physical health conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, that is likely to trigger or exacerbate depression, impacting further on their quality of life and life expectancy.”
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
The group which provides home support to may elderly people who would otherwise be miserable, lonely, and helpless, are making an enormous difference to the quality of life and independence of elderly people in the Oxford area. They want the spirit of their endeavours to spread across the U.k.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar