Advice
Psychotherapy for older people - it’s never too late to start seeing a therapist
By: Agapi Kapeloni
Updated: 05 November 2020
Psychotherapy
for older people - it’s never too late to start seeing a therapist.
We are living longer due to
technological and medical advances. In fact, older people account for 703
million in the world and it is expected that in Ireland a quarter of our
population will be over 65 years old by 2041.
As we find ourselves living
longer it is to be expected that we will, in our later years (as in earlier
years) encounter life events and changes which may shake our resilience and
confidence. Therapy can be a source of support for older people, just as it is
for younger generations. Even so, the statistics show that far fewer older
people seek psychotherapy compared to members of younger ages.
Older people, like their
younger counterparts, experience mental health difficulties such as low mood, stress,
depression, addiction, and relationship issues. Older people may also ‘carry’
distress from a much earlier time of their lives – a distress which they have
been unable to do anything about due to lack of resources or due to historically
negative attitudes towards therapy.
In addition to the mental
health challenges typically experienced by all ages, older people may be
challenged by the added experience of getting older. And of course, some of the
issues faced by older people can be typically issues only or more frequently faced
by older people alone, such as dementia, physical impairment due to ageing or
disease, chronic pain, retirement, or widowhood.
Older people may also experience
challenges of a social nature such as ageism, challenges to living independently
(and the related fear of dependency). Many older people also become carers for
loved ones with poorer health than their own – and have to carry this responsibility
at a time in their lives when they find it increasingly challenging.
Last but not least, older people
tend to be more preoccupied by ‘end of life’ issues and associated fears such
as fear of dying, fear of losing loved ones, and the related potential for
isolation/loneliness that such losses entail, and the consequential potential
for depression that presents.
The mental health of older
people is typically considered to be at a higher risk than younger people due,
for example, to the natural process of ageing, as well as long-term diseases
which are more prevalent within the older population such as diabetes, heart
conditions, or high blood pressure.
The recent pandemic has
become an additional reason for older people to ‘reach out’ for therapy. With
the emergence of Covid-19, older people may experience higher levels of fear and
anxiety due to the threat the virus poses for them. In addition, older people have
found themselves having to isolate (‘cocoon’) in order to protect themselves
from a potentially deadly virus.
How can we manage the fear
of loss of health or even death while isolating, when under normal
circumstances we would be encouraged to connect with people and share our fears
in order to overcome them? Many have resorted to making online contact with
others, and despite the fact that such contact is remote, it has been found to
be quite helpful during these difficult times.
Unfortunately, even when it
comes to using technology, some older adults are at a disadvantage to younger
generations in this regard. Not all older members of our society are computer
literate and for many the only available means of tele-communication remains the
telephone.
Do
you or a loved one identify with a mental health issue or any of the issues
presenting with ageing?
Are
you reluctant to open up to family members or children and grandchildren
because you do not want to worry them?
Are
you trying to make sense of current issues or earlier ones from the past but realise
you are unable to continue to do so alone?
Are
you older and caring for an older member of your family and finding yourself
challenged by that caring role?
Are
you older and affected by (or vulnerable to) the current Covid-19 pandemic?
These are some of the
pertinent questions which older people may find themselves asking at this time,
and they are by no means alone in this; many younger people face similar
challenges. If any of the above questions resonate with you, or if you have any
concerns about your mental health why don’t you take the first step and get in
touch with the office at MyMind? You will be given the information and the help
you need to book an appointment with a therapist and even though face-to-face
therapy may not be an option for you now, you will be able to have sessions
over the phone or via the internet, whichever you feel most comfortable with.
Should you make an
appointment, your therapist will make contact with you on the day and time of
your appointment. S/he is professionally trained to listen to you without
judgement, support you as you try to make sense of what is going on and help
you learn how to make any (if any) needed changes. Also, the relationship with
your therapist is confidential, just as it is with your doctor.
Psychotherapy has been found
to be helpful for any age. It is never too late to start. Talking to a
therapist can help support you in ageing more healthily and happily.
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH Stress ISSUES:
Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) , Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy , Person-Centred Therapy , Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Works with: Couples , Individual Session , Extended couples session
Specialities: Anxiety , Bereavement / Loss , Depression , LGBT , Relationship issues , Self harm , Self-Esteem , Sexuality (LGBTQIA+) , Stress
Next avaialble appointment: 13:00 03 December 2024
Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) , Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy , Person-Centred Therapy
Works with: Individual Session
Specialities: Anxiety , Depression , Isolation / Loneliness , Personal Development , Relationship issues , Self Care , Self harm , Self-Esteem , Stress , Suicidal Ideation / Self Harm , Work Issues, Work/Life balance
Next avaialble appointment: 10:00 03 December 2024
Approach: Person-Centred Therapy , Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy , Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Works with: Individual Session
Specialities: Anxiety , Depression , Isolation / Loneliness , Personal Development , Relationship issues , Self Care , Self-Esteem , Stress , Work Issues, Work/Life balance
Next avaialble appointment: 13:00 03 December 2024
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