In recognition of International Day of Older Persons
According to the 2020 US Census, 1 in every 6 people in the United States are over the age of 65 (Caplan, 2023). The senior citizen age population is rapidly increasing as the years progress. With this increase comes a greater need to access medical care, affordable housing, and societal support and representation. But what about their mental health? Older adults often experience mental illnesses and traumatic experiences at alarming rates, but many will not seek professional mental health services. One cross-sectional study found that elderly folks were less likely to seek out these services due to stigmatized beliefs about seeking help, cost and lack of accessibility, and general negative assumptions about the mental health field (Usra Elshaikh et al., 2023). Let’s take a look at some myths and facts about elderly folks and mental health care.
MYTH: Older adults do not need mental health care.
FACT: As the aforementioned study showed, elderly folks experience many difficult circumstances that negatively impact their mental health. Without mental health services, they are forced to deal with their problems internally.
MYTH: Younger therapists are not equipped to serve elderly populations.
FACT: While younger therapists may not have as much life experience, they work to empathize and understand what their clients go through, regardless of age. It is also the client’s decision to determine what type of therapist best fits their needs.
MYTH: It is normal for anxiety and depression to accompany aging.
FACT: While these diagnoses may be normal for certain circumstances (e.g., bereavement, isolation from loved ones), anxiety and depression should not be treated as a normal part of aging. Many emotional benefits come with aging, such as maintaining long-lasting relationships and honoring memories with integrity. (National Institute on Aging, 2024). It is also important to note that mental health care can help offset pervasive symptoms of ongoing anxiety and depression.
MYTH: Seniors are set in their ways and may not respond to mental health care.
FACT: Many cognitive changes are possible with aging! Memory care, establishing insight, and learning new skills are all benefits of mental health care (National Institute on Aging, 2024).
Now let’s dive a bit deeper into the barriers elderly folks face when it comes to seeking mental health services.
Stigma is a crucial factor in whether or not older adults will seek mental health care. The current senior population comes from a generation that was raised to believe mental illness is indicative of weakness and would rather deal with it on their own than seek assistance. Historical shame and ignorance informs these stigmatized beliefs. What can be done to break the stigma? It is imperative that senior citizens are empowered to seek mental health care. This can be done by providers fostering warm and supportive environments for their clients (Senior Friendship Centers & Velarde, 2023). When a therapist is trained and experienced in working with elderly populations, it provides clients with greater reassurance and confidence in their care. It may also be useful to establish group sessions for elderly folks that are contemplating seeking individual services. This way, they can see that they are not alone in their struggles and others are actively seeking help as well.
Accessibility to mental health services is nowhere near where many therapists would like it to be. The cost alone is enough to turn older folks on fixed incomes away. Insurance will often not cover mental health services, so many may have to pay out of pocket. On top of that, older adults may lack access to reliable transportation and may be unable to see therapists given their inconvenient hours. To combat financial barriers, many therapists offer a sliding scale payment method that allows older folks to pay what they can. Many non-profit services have this scale as well so they are able to serve lower-income communities. Some may even offer pro bono services if needed. Transportation can pose a legitimate issue for elderly clients. A way to bridge this gap is by therapists providing in-home services or virtual appointments where their clients can obtain the necessary health care from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Therapists who only see clients a few days for a few hours per week may do so for a number of reasons (e.g., second jobs, familial responsibilities, other personal reasons). If it is within their capabilities, therapists can meet with potential elderly clients on an individual basis to determine if there are any available time slots outside of their designated hours that they would be willing to accommodate. If there are not, the therapist should refer the client to someone who would be able to see them.
Those who do consider receiving mental health care may also believe they are “beyond saving” and that the field itself would not benefit them. The fact of the matter is that many older adults are capable of creating new cognitive pathways that assist them with learning new ways of coping and taking on new perspectives. Many types of therapy can aid in this process: cognitive-behavioral therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and reminiscence therapy, just to name a few (Knight, 2023; Osorio, 2019). In the eyes of the therapist, no one is beyond saving. Not everyone may need therapy, but everyone can certainly benefit from it.
So what can we do for older adults who may have the access and ability to receive formal mental health care services, but do not choose to seek them? Even if they decide not to receive formal care, we can still provide compassionate care to our seniors in other avenues. One way to encourage mental health is by establishing a sense of community. Increasing access to community services is a great way for elderly folks to stay active and social. Whether it be through playing chess, making art, or simply talking to others, it is important for older folks to have a sense of community to aid them in their later years. Another way to promote mental health is through education. One could partner with local nursing homes and senior activity centers to host weekly or monthly workshops geared specifically toward the maintenance of senior mental health and well-being.
In closing, mental health care is crucial for the elderly. Whether it be through formal services or mind-enhancing activities, growing older should not have to come with barriers to seeking compassionate care. As members of helping professions, it is our duty to serve the most vulnerable populations and make sure they are taken care of.
About Samantha
Samantha is one of Straight Talk Counseling's newest interns. She is currently enrolled in her third year of Cal State Fullerton's MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Samantha identifies as a first-generation college student, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a proud mother to her bearded dragon named Rudy. She was called to become a clinical mental health counselor after experiencing the healing powers of therapy first-hand. She hopes to provide this same guidance, empathy, warmth, and compassion to any potential client. Samantha is interested in working with multiple populations, including elderly individuals, victims of sexual abuse, and children.
Article Sources
Caplan, Z. (2023, May 25). U.S. older population grew from 2010 to 2020 at fastest rate since 1880 to 1890. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/05/2020-census-united-states-older-population-grew.html
Knight, B. G. (2023). Psychotherapy and older adults. Apa.org. https://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/psychotherapy#:~:text=Support%20groups%20and%20cognitive%2Fbehavioral
National Institute on Aging. (2024, April 10). 10 common misconceptions about aging. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/10-common-misconceptions-about-aging
Osorio, C. (2019, May 19). Mental health physicians highlight most impactful therapies for seniors. News.llu.edu. https://news.llu.edu/patient-care/mental-health-physicians-highlight-most-impactful-therapies-for-seniors
Senior Friendship Centers, & Velarde, J. (2023, October 3). Mental health and aging: Breaking the stigma. Senior Friendship Centers. https://friendshipcenters.org/mental-health-and-aging-breaking-the-stigma/#:~:text=By%20providing%20accurate%20information%20about%20mental%20health%20and%20aging%2C%20we
Usra Elshaikh, Sheik, R., Saeed, M., Chivese, T., & Diana Alsayed Hassan. (2023). Barriers and facilitators of older adults for professional mental health help-seeking: a systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04229-x