How to Launch Senior Mental Health Programming
Older adults experience so many life transitions with increased vulnerability to loss and sickness. Seniors also face increased risks of mental health challenges, including clinical depression and memory loss. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the most common mental health conditions for older adults are depression and anxiety.
Comprehensive geriatric mental health programming should address the biological and psychological aspects of normal aging, chronic pain and illness. Specifically for senior care, geriatric programming should also include the psychosocial aspects of getting older. Well-rounded mental health programs also tend to encourage and educate older patients to develop strategies for stress relief, exercise and communicating effectively with the outside world.
Who’s on Your Geriatric Behavioral Health Team?
Geriatric psychiatrists zero in on prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in both healthy and sick seniors. In addition to specially trained psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, there’s a long list of health providers who will support and care for seniors who face challenges, including:
- Primary care physician
- Registered nurse
- Social worker
- Neurologist
- Physical therapist
- Music or art therapist
- Hospital support groups
Researchers suggest that worsening mental health is not a normal part of aging. Studies published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry show that most older adults today are feeling better about their mental health than they did 10 or 20 years ago. Resilience, wisdom and life experience may help contribute to perceived improved mental health in seniors.
Unlike in previous generations, research shows that today’s older adults don’t feel as much stigma or shame about seeking mental health help. In a study of 2,000 people aged 50-80, most participants said they wouldn’t hesitate to seek mental health treatment in the future. Still, 3 in 10 of those seniors reported some hesitation about getting behavioral health treatments when needed.
Horizon Health geriatric behavioral programs
To promote senior mental health, geriatric programs are often designed to help patients maintain positive attitudes and keep them physically safe and socially engaged. Horizon Health has over 40 years of behavioral health management experience, resources and expertise to help senior patients who may suffer from:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Mood disorders
- Substance use disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Dementia (and other neurocognitive issues)
As people grow older, their health and wellness needs may change. Mental health becomes increasingly important, especially since older adults may find themselves alone or in new living arrangements.
Mental Health Services for Seniors
There are hundreds of studies that highlight the long-term benefits associated with healthy living for seniors, which becomes even more important with aging. With nutritious meal plans, engaging social programs and a variety of physical activities, seniors can hope to expand their life spans and remain more active and interested in daily life.
Although diet and exercise are the key drivers behind geriatric wellness, there’s so much more to learn about behavioral health and wellness for seniors. There are major benefits to mental health and wellness programming for older patients:
- Improves quality of life
- Prevents social isolation
- Boosts cognitive function
- Enhances energy and fitness
- Encourages independence
- Promotes emotional balance
Inpatient and outpatient programs for seniors might include a wide range of services including pet therapy, meditation and worship services that promote emotional expression and overall happiness. There are also dozens of clinical resources for seniors available through online portals and mobile apps.
General Health and Wellness in Seniors
Seniors are the fastest growing demographic in America. Mental health and wellness strategies (like regular exercise and volunteering) are essential to every aspect of senior living. Healthier habits may also reduce the risk of chronic diseases in seniors, including people who suffer from:
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Anxiety and depression
- Arthritis and chronic pain
- Some cancers
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
As seniors get older, the risk of isolation increases. To prevent the negative effects of loneliness and isolation in seniors, it’s especially important for seniors (and their caregivers) to be proactive about staying engaged. Lonely seniors, in fact, may show much higher rates of depression and anxiety – and less physical fitness.
Horizon Health Behavioral Health Services
Seniors face many challenges related to emotional support, including financial debts, legal affairs and managing chronic illness. Horizon Health leverages proprietary technology to ensure your hospital gets evidence-based results to benchmark success and geriatric mental healthcare. Whether your hospital or health system is evaluating a new behavioral health program or upgrading an existing one, geriatric health programming is a big value-add for the community and your facility.
Schedule an appointment
Call 800-727-2407 or complete the online interest form to learn more about Horizon Health’s geriatric behavioral health programs. We can create and implement new programming or help upgrade the mental health services your hospital already offers.
We help partners implement evidence-based, state-of-the-art practices in trauma-informed care, fall reduction, music memory and other traditional and emerging areas of geriatric care. Along with behavioral health architectural partners, Horizon Health can assist with planning and budgeting for new or renovated spaces in your hospital.
About Horizon Health
Horizon Health Behavioral Health Solutions partners with hospitals to manage and/or develop their behavioral health programs while improving patient outcomes. For over 40 years we have had leadership experience in helping with planning, development and implementation of a new behavioral health service line or significantly improving existing programs.
A few of our program offerings include, medical detox, child and adolescent behavioral health, adult behavioral health and geriatric behavioral health programs. Our team of experts in clinical, operational, financial and data analytics and outcomes provide excellence in support and leadership to your teams and drive proven results.
If you are interested in learning how Horizon Health can help you launch a new program or improve your existing behavioral health program, give us a call at 800-727-2407.