Poor emotional health, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, may significantly reduce the likelihood that elderly patients will receive preventive health services, according to a study led by a Duke University Medical Center School of Nursing researcher. The researchers said their findings lead them to recommend that physicians actively screen older patients to determine if they might be experiencing symptoms of psychological distress.
The study showed people age 65 and older are up to 30 percent less likely to receive preventive services that are generally recommended for older adults, including influenza vaccinations, dental check-ups or clinical breast exams, said Joshua Thorpe, Ph.D., MPH, assistant research professor in the School of Nursing and senior fellow in the Duke University Center for Aging. Receiving these services may help control the costs of health care by preventing the need for more expensive health care services, Thorpe said.
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