Do you have the feeling that you want to talk to someone about what is going on in your life but that you shouldn’t need to do so because you are an older adult?
Just because you are older, this doesn’t mean that you should be able to figure out how to manage your problems on your own. Sometimes it takes a counselor’s perspective to help you figure things out and see things differently. As you get older, you may feel that you shouldn’t need to get anyone’s assistance to help you through a rough patch. Many people believe that a decline in mental health is a normal part of aging and that older people are resistant to change. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Did you know that nearly 20% of the older adult population has a mental health issue but that mental health services account for less than 4% of all Medicare claims?
Counselors who specialize in working with older adults are in short supply. Few have the interest, training, or specialization to work with older adults, yet the need is great. Healthy aging depends upon reaching out to professionals when there is a mental health need, such as grief and loneliness, anxiety, depression, and coping with health issues. Older adults actually have an advantage over younger adults in that they have a greater capacity to manage difficult feelings. This makes for more successful outcomes when seeking the services of a skilled counselor.
Are you confused about where to find a counselor? Start by going to the Psychology Today website (www.psychologytoday.com). The website’s find a therapist tool lists counselors by location and specialty and makes it easy to get in touch with someone. Private insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid all keep a list of in-network providers. You can always ask your family doctor for a recommendation and where to get started. When you have found someone, call for a free consultation. Many counselors will talk to you for a few minutes to find out what your needs are and if you are a good fit. If your needs and the counselor’s background are not a close enough fit, the counselor may recommend someone else who more closely specializes in your situation. What do you have to lose? Try it out and you may just find that you are feeling better than you thought you would.
