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Learn MoreRecently the news has brought mental health issues into the spotlight. The death of a well-known entertainer, a former child star and the deaths by suicide of three sailors in one week on an aircraft carrier have made it clear that no one is immune from the dangers of mental illness. This is perhaps even more true for one of the largest segments of our population – adults over the age of 65. Major life changes such as the loss of a spouse and/or contemporaries, moves to senior living facilities and changes in health and wellness can also lead to changes in mental health status. In addition, seniors may struggle with feelings of isolation, age-related dementia and sleep disorders. So, how can healthcare providers be ready to address mental health issues with this patient population?
The incidence of mental illness in the senior population appears roughly equal to that of the rest of the adult population – roughly 20%. In addition, people over the age of 85 have the highest suicide rate of any age group and the older population is more likely to be suffering from complex and chronic health conditions that may serve to exacerbate mental health issues. This, combined with the safety issues associated with falls among older adults and growing concerns over abuse can create a situation where mental health issues are more prevalent.
It is estimated that as many as two-thirds of older adults suffering with a mental illness do not receive treatment. While the factors that contribute to mental illness in this population may be somewhat different than their younger cohorts, the barriers to treatment are strikingly similar.
In addition to some of the expected barriers to mental health treatment, there are some additional hurdles that may be experienced by seniors. They may experience transportation issues due to the loss of driving privileges that may make attending therapeutic appointments challenging for them. In addition, there is a somewhat common belief that symptoms such as depression and anxiety are common in older people and that treatment may be futile. The cost of treatment and concerns over medications are also barriers to treatment in the senior population. In addition, this generation may stigmatize mental illness which may also preclude them from seeking help.
While local, state and national policy makers should be encouraged to create policy that addresses the issue, providers are really the front line when it comes to recognizing and treating mental illness in seniors. Primary care providers should be trained to recognize the signs of mental illness in this population and understand the most effective interventions. Providers need updated information about the need for, and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for older adults with anxiety and depression and other mental health issues.
Providers can help by:
HealthStream has tools that can help your organization increase staff competence in this area while improving patient outcomes and staff well-being. These tools can help develop staff to recognize signs of mental illness, accurately identify areas of concern by means of training that is engaging and effective.
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View All Learning & PerformanceHealthStream offers performance learning management solutions to help develop your healthcare staff into leaders and reduce turnover.
View All ProductsHealthStream works with healthcare organizations to create engaging and high-quality training videos for your staff and management.
View All ProductsImprove care quality and save money by making informed decisions about your healthcare facility and staff with HealthStream's reporting analytics solution.
View All ProductsHealthStream's proven methods for the improvement and overall engagement of your healthcare staff foster a positive workplace and increase retention rates.
View All ProductsWhen you enact HealthStream's quality compliance solutions, you can do so with the confidence your healthcare organization will meet all standards of care.
View All Quality & ComplianceBe confident in your staff’s ability to reduce risk by providing compliance training that changes behavior.
View All ProductsDevelop next-level people for next-level care by prioritizing quality and safety improvements.
View All ProductsEstablish a culture of belonging with education supporting DEI, wellness, engagement, and leadership development.
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View All ReimbursementExpand the decision-making skills and effectiveness of your healthcare workforce with HealthStream's clinical development programs and services.
View All Clinical DevelopmentLearn about our advanced resuscitation training solutions. Our solutions are designed to help improve patient outcomes.
View All ProductsOur competency development solutions personalize learning for clinicians to bridge the gap between theory and practice for your nurse residents.
View All ProductsEnhance maternal & child nursing care with solutions focused on improving the quality of care for mothers, infants, and children.
View All ProductsAddress staffing orientation challenges to easily achieve and maintain certification with our emergency and acute care training solutions.
View All ProductsAs a premier provider of healthcare education, we are committed to promoting safer, more successful surgical and sedation outcomes for each and every patient.
View All ProductsOur solutions are designed to cater to the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations dealing with illnesses or chronic conditions.
View All ProductsOnline clinical placement software allows schools, healthcare organizations, and students to seamlessly manage clinical and nursing rotations.
View All ProductsComprehensive, industry-leading provider onboarding and credentialing software that validates health outcomes and supports provider assessment.
View All CredentialingOur affordable CVO credentialing services establish patient safety by enabling primary source verification for your healthcare organization.
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View All ProductsMake sure your healthcare staff can schedule out appointments and work schedules with ease using HealthStream's line of software solutions.
View All SchedulingHealthcare workforce management is essential. We provide advanced scheduling solutions for organizations to solve issues such as nurse retention
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