It’s no secret the U.S. population continues to age. In fact, by 2034, it’s estimated that there will be More seniors over 65 than kids under the age of 18 living in America. As Americans live longer, it is likely that many seniors will need to seek Senior Therapy to provide elder mental health services. This will allow them to live their best lives. Not all seniors are comfortable talking to a therapist about their worries and thoughts on a regular schedule.
Let’s uncover some of the popular myths that prevent some seniors from searching for therapists in the first place — and then outline some of the tremendous benefits senior therapy can have on folks in their golden years.
Myths About Seniors & Mental Health
If you’re a senior who’s having second thoughts about whether you could benefit from senior therapy, it might be because your thoughts are governed by any of these popular myths about elder mental health.
Myth #1: Seniors are stuck in their ways and can’t change
Can you teach an old dog new tricks. It turns out that you can. For example, research shows that our As we age, our emotional intelligence increases. Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you need to continue living the same exact way you’ve been living or thinking the exact same way you’ve been thinking. You absolutely have the ability to change. You may be the one who opens the doors to the best chapters in your life.
Myth #2 – Seniors don’t care about sex.
Some people believe that seniors lose interest in sex with older people. While it’s true that seniors might not have the same sex drive they had in their 20s, they absolutely You may still be interested in It’s possible to get it on. Situations involving a long-term sex partner can change due to divorce or death. Talking to a therapist may be very helpful in helping you get through this transition.
Myth #3 – As we age, our quality life decreases
Just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you have to accept the myth that your quality of life will automatically decrease. In fact, your quality of life can actually improve as you get older (even though you might have a little more joint pain than you’d like). Studies have shown that we actually get happier as we age. As we age, we become happier. Talking to a therapist and working with your problems can help you take proactive steps to improve the quality of your life.
Myth #4: Seniors are not interested in therapy.
While seniors have perhaps been more hesitant to seek out mental health treatment in the past, that’s all changing. One actually Recent studies found that more than 70 percent of seniors wouldn’t hesitate to sit down with a geriatric therapist if they felt like they could benefit from such services. It comes down to this: you’re never too old to talk to a professional. So, forget what you might’ve heard in the past. Seniors are working more closely with therapists to be the best version of themselves.
Senior Therapy has many benefits
Now that you have a better idea about the more pervasive myths surrounding senior mental health care, let’s turn our attention to some of the specific benefits you can expect to experience by aligning with the right therapist.
Improve your mindset
One of the main reasons seniors decide to enlist the help of a therapist is because they’re dealing with issues like depression, anxiety, or general bad moods. When you work with the right therapist, it’s possible to move past these issues by improving your mindset. As a result, you’ll be more optimistic, friendly, and generally happy.
Overcome addiction, insomnia and other conditions
As with everyone else, seniors have their own problems. Addiction and insomnia are two examples of issues that need attention.. According to studies, 5.7 million seniors suffer addiction. At the same time, half of the elder population experiences insomnia at one point in their lives. These issues can be overcome by working with a therapist to live a happier life.
Strengthen your personal relationships
Let’s face it: Nobody wants to spend their time hanging out with someone who’s in a poor mood all the time. By improving your mindset and overcoming the conditions that are preventing you from reaching your full potential as a human, you’ll become a more enjoyable person to be around. As a result, you’ll be able to spend more time with the folks that matter the most to you, and you can develop stronger personal relationships because of it.
Live a happier life
Many seniors believe that their best days are behind them. Who says this is true? Talking to a therapist is a great way to recharge your batteries and encourage you get more active. You might decide to volunteer more often in your community (e.g. at the local library, food bank). You can also volunteer to spend more time with your grandkids or other important children in your life as a free babysitter. If you’re up for the challenge, you might even decide to get involved in town government or join the board of a local nonprofit, which would no doubt benefit from your skills and experience. Whatever your choice, these activities can help bring meaning to your life.
When is it the right time to enroll in Senior Therapy?
Since you’re reading these words, you’re probably wondering whether senior therapy is right for you. If you’ve noticed any recent changes in your life — like less energy, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, or suicidal thoughts — you should absolutely reach out to a geriatric therapist. Other Warning signs include irritability, stress, restlessness, and engaging in high-risk activities.
No matter what issues are holding you back, you can overcome them when you work with a professional therapist — and make sure your golden years are in fact golden.
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