It is undeniable that receiving mental health counseling services from a licensed therapist can be beneficial for most people, including senior citizens. Unfortunately, mental health counseling can often be overlooked when people are in their golden years. There are many great achievements and milestones that happen in old age, but there can also be hardships.
Many older adults face major life challenges during their senior years. Maybe you or your loved one can no longer maintain their independence, such as grocery shopping, cleaning, or even living on their own. In more extreme cases, there may be involvement of a medical diagnosis, including a mental health condition, which presents symptoms and general life challenges.
If you or a loved one is experiencing some mental health difficulties, you should think about reaching out to a geriatric mental health counselor. Even though young adults continue to battle the mental health stigma, senior citizens are less likely to receive mental health treatment in comparison to younger adults. This can be due to the general fact that seniors are more guarded with their emotions and do not share any mental health symptoms they may be experiencing. If you are trying to get mental health support for your loved one, please understand that it may take time for your family member or friend to understand the mental health benefits of speaking to a senior therapist.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with psychotherapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and telehealth (video/phone) sessions to residents of New Jersey and New York.
What is geriatric counseling?
Geriatric counseling can simply be defined as mental health services for people 65 years old or older. Everyone ages, but that does not mean that it is an easy process. There are many natural cognitive and physical changes that come along with aging. These alterations to your life can negatively and seriously adjust the way you live which may affect your happiness and overall sense of fulfillment. Tasks that you once completed with ease, such as shopping and cooking, may now be hard to complete without outside assistance.
For many people, aging may equate to losing one’s independence. From health issues to physical impairments, there are many instances that may require you or your loved one to rely on other people. This can trigger negative emotions. Luckily, geriatric mental health counselors are there to help you or your loved one navigate and manage these emotions while, at the same time, setting you up for success in your daily life.
What can senior mental health counselors help with?
In one’s golden years, senior mental health counselors are there to help you or your loved one steer life’s later challenges. Typically, many people begin to come to terms with their life choices during their later years.
Some topics that can be covered in senior mental health counseling encompass:
Thoughts about mortality
Grief regarding the loss of friends, friendships, family members, etc.
Grappling with unresolved issues and relationships
Diagnosis of a serious illness
Surgery and the recovery process
Worries regarding future generations (e.g. children, grandchildren, etc.)
Financial insecurity
Loss of mobility, hearing, or vision
Regrets
And more!
What are some benefits of geriatric mental health counseling?
Motivate you or your loved one to make positive changes
Contrary to popular belief, just because someone is in their golden years, it does not mean that they are incapable of change. People can change at any point in their life as long as they are dedicated! With that being said, it is understandable that some people may get too comfortable with unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Some struggles, like dealing with the symptoms of a terminal illness, may be outside of one’s control, but there are always ways you can take steps to manage aspects of the situation that are in your control.
Senior therapists can help you identify ways to improve your unique situation to benefit you. You and your counselor will work hand-in-hand to create a plan to implement these positive changes. While your counselor will not make choices for you or tell you exactly what to do, your therapist is there to help guide you and encourage you to make choices that will create a happy and healthy life.
2. Managing grief and loss
As you or a loved one gets older, loss becomes common with the aging process. Whether it’s a friend, sibling, spouse, or parent, there are many losses that can occur which can result in inevitable grief. While loss can become more common, it does not mean that it gets any easier.
Therapy is one of the best outlets to work through your grief. Some people may hesitate to showcase their true feelings in fear that they will burden others; however, when getting the professional help of a grief therapist, this is no longer a worry!
Grief is long-term and, when it comes untreated, it can seriously damage your emotional health. Therapy offers you a safe space to express your feelings, work through your emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms to cope with your loss.
3. Adjusting to life transitions
Transitions happen at every stage of life. While these transitions are always difficult, seniors face some of the biggest hardships due to the possible loss of one’s independence.
One major change in the aging process is retirement. This can not only impact your daily routine, but it can also affect your social life. Some older adults may even move to retirement homes or senior living communities after taking this step. Family structures can change, and physical impairments may make it difficult for some to get out and socialize with other seniors.
Positive changes, like the welcoming of a grandchild, can be hard to manage. A transition of any magnitude can be challenging to people who are used to a certain way of life. Therapy is a judgment-free zone where you can openly discuss these changes and find ways to control your new normal.
Overall, mental health counseling for senior citizens has numerous benefits. You or your loved one does not have to have a mental health condition or be on the verge of a mental health crisis to seek the help of a geriatric counselor. There are many reasons why a senior citizen may engage in therapy. By speaking to a geriatric mental health therapist, you or your loved one can enhance your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager and Intake Coordinator at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark, planning to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. As a Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy, Victoria is committed to producing content for and managing the office’s social media presence and blog.
