TheraCounsel Geriatric Psychotherapists know and understand the facts about mental health and the underserved older adult population
Access to Mental Health Services
*Only half of older adults who acknowledge mental health problems and seek mental health services actually receive treatment from any health care provider. Of those, only 3 percent receive psychotherapeutic services (Lebowitz, et al, 1997). This rate of utilization is lower than for any other adult age group.
*Over half of older persons who receive mental health care receive it from their primary care physicians alone!
*Older Americans account for only seven percent of all inpatient mental health services, 6 percent of community based mental health services, and 9 percent of private psychiatric care, despite comprising 13 percent of the population. Reasons cited for this under utilization barriors include: stigma, denial of problems, access barriers, lack of collaboration and coordination between mental health professionals who are often unaware of geriatric psychotherapists, and shortages of appropriate health professionals(Lebowitz, et al, 1997).
The Facts about Mental Health and Older Adults
* Nearly 20 percent of those who are 55 years and older exp
erience mental disorders, not part of normal aging.
* Most common disorders, in order of prevalence, are: anxiety, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders.
* Studies report, however, that mental disorders in older adults often go undiagnosed, are underreported, and are most often untreated.
Depression
*The underdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression in pri
mary care represents a serious public health problem! One study found that only about 11 percent of depressed patients in primary care receive adequate antidepressant treatment, while 34 percent received inadequate treatment, and 55 percent received no treatment (Katon, et al., 1992).
*Several studies have found that many older adults who commit suicide have visited a primary care physician very close to the time of the suicide – 20 percent on the same day, 40 percent within one week – of the suicide (Conwell, 1994).
*The direct and indirect costs of depression have been estimated at $43 billion each year, not including pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. Late life depression is particularly costly because of the excess disability that it causes and its deleterious interaction with physical health.
Alzheimer’s Disease
*Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older people. It is estimated that four million Americans currently suffer from some form of dementia; nearly 10 percent of all people over age 65 and up to half of those over age 85 are thought to have a form of dementia.
*Most caregivers cope with untreated depression and anxiety related to caring for a loved one with dementia. Only a small fraction of the caregivers seek help from a psychotherapist.
*Approximately 19 million Americans have a family member with Alzheimer’s; approximately 300,000 new cases each year are diagnosed. These numbers will increase as the numbers of elderly increase; the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that by the middle of this century over 14 million people will suffer from dementia. The amount of caregivers is not yet been determined (Alzheimers Association 10, 2006)
Anxiety
*Older adults most often go untreated for late life anxiety, distress, and stressors, especially when they are faced with relocating to community living (independent and assisted living) situations.
*While families and doctors recommend various living environments which will more aadequately meet the physical needs of the clients, they may overlook the social and psychological need of the individual and family to meet with a trained specialist who can help these older adults cope with the transiton and adjustment.
*Older adults' psychogical needs are often not as apparent, are denied, or are at times not even realized by the individuals themselves. *Professional trained psychotherapists are available and can provide supportive and insight-oriented psychtoherapy to help older adults and their loved ones with the transition, decreasing distress and enhancing a healthy adjustment(Cohen et al, 1990, Gallagher, 1985).
The Role of Caregiving – General
*Caregiving will preoccupy American families well into the 21st century as the 76 million baby boomers join the ranks of older Americans. Currently, nearly one out of every four U.S. households provides care to a loved one aged 50 or older; informal, unpaid care from family, friends, or neighbors is the main source of help for the majority of older people with disabilities living in the community (Cohen et al, 1990, Gallagher, 1985).
*Studies show that caregivers experience a sense of burden; an estimated 46 percent are clinically depressed (Cohen et al, 1990, Gallagher, 1985). Up to half of the primary caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimer’s develop significant psychological distress (Schultz et al, 1995), but don't get the psychotherapy they need.
TheraCounsel clinicians provide supportive counseling services as a Medicare benefit. Each practitioner has the training and quaifications to help older adults and families cope with inevitable difficulties associated with major life changes, new roles, and new ways of living their day to day lives.