ABSTRACT

The largest cohort in U.S. history is beginning to enter late life, driving an unprecedented growth in the older adult population. The leading edge of the “baby boom” generation (born between 1946 and 1964) reached the age of 65 in 2011. By the year 2030, nearly 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 or older, a sharp rise from the 13% recorded in 2010 (Howden & Meyer, 2011). Alongside this dramatic growth in the older adult population is projected an increase in the number of older adults with mental health problems (Hinrichsen, 2010), resulting from both larger numbers of older adults in the population and an elevated propensity for psychopathology in the baby boom cohort (e.g., Hasin, Goodwin, Stinson & Grant, 2005). Furthermore, the coming generation of older adults is expected to seek mental health treatment at higher rates than past generations (Qualls, Segal, Norman, Niederehe, & Gallagher-Thompson, 2002). These changes bring into sharp focus the importance of investigating the presentation, etiology and treatment of psychopathology in late life.