People of any age can benefit from counseling. However, the concerns of someone in their senior years will be quite different from those of a teenager. For that reason, older adults should look for senior care counseling designed to help them get through issues involving life transitions and changes like retirement. It often helps to discuss those problems in-depth with counselors trained to deal with the problems of seniors.
Reasons to Seek Senior Care Counseling
Too often, seniors get overlooked when it comes to counseling services. Some adults may find themselves experiencing some mild cognitive decline as they age, while others may find themselves dealing with the onset of dementia. That can lead to the development of other mental health issues like:
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Anxiety
Even adults with full mental abilities may have other concerns that need attention. For example, while some people get excited about the prospect of retirement, others find themselves at a crossroads, not sure what to do with their time. Either way, transitioning to a non-working lifestyle can be something of a shock, no matter how much preparation you put in.
Other issues that can crop up that might require senior counseling include:
- The fallout from medical issues — Health problems may crop up as you progress through your later years. Some conditions can hobble our ability to perform certain activities. That can lead to frustrations and feelings of losing your independence.
- Hearing and vision problems — Sometimes, the clarity of our hearing and vision fades as we age. That can lead to problems with reading, following conversations, or viewing your favorite television programs.
- Grief — Part of the aging process involves coming to terms with losing friends and loved ones. That process can accelerate as the years pass, leading to many unresolved emotions.
Types of Senior Care Counseling
Examples of senior care counseling that can help older adults manage feelings and emotions tied to aging include:
Group Therapy
Group therapy involves getting together with other seniors in a therapeutic setting. The size of the group can vary. One of the most significant benefits of senior care counseling in a group setting is that you get the opportunity to connect with other adults going through similar experiences.
While it can be hard to open up at first, there’s a lot you can gain from listening to the perspectives of others. It can help you work through similar issues while allowing you the opportunity to provide helpful feedback to fellow group participants. Reflections Management and Care can help you find groups to connect with for senior care counseling.
Individual Therapy
If you prefer working one-on-one with a counselor, then Reflections Management and Care can connect you with therapists in your area. It’s a way for you to build a rapport with your therapist and become more comfortable about opening up.
Everything discussed in individual senior care counseling sessions remains confidential. That can free you to discuss issues that may be hard to talk about, even with loved ones. In addition, gaining clarity into what’s bothering you can give you insight into improving your overall quality of life.
Family Therapy
As you get older, you may find issues cropping up between you and your family, including whether you should continue living independently or move into an assisted care facility. A family therapist can help facilitate conversations to avoid breakdowns in communication so you can have productive discussions.
Family senior counseling can help you move past mistrust with loved ones and learn to reconcile your differences. Once you’re able to forgive each other for past mistakes, it can help improve your relationship with each other.
Benefits of Senior Care Counseling
Regular therapy can prove helpful to seniors working through issues tied to aging, health issues, and worry about becoming less independent. Other benefits of senior care counseling include:
1. Learning about positive lifestyle changes
If you feel stuck in a rut, senior care counseling can help you find positive ways to change your routine. A counselor can help you go over different options to make you happier and healthier.
2. Working through loss
If you’re unable to get past the pain of losing a spouse, family member, or other loved one, senior counseling can aid you in processing your feelings. You may not feel comfortable sharing your emotions with others in your life for fear of being considered a burden. Attending senior counseling sessions removes that worry, allowing you to express yourself more freely.
3. Dealing with life changes
It can be challenging for many seniors to adjust to life after retirement. People you saw every day for years at work may no longer be part of your life. A counselor can help you deal with those mixed emotions and consider the alternatives, like getting into community service, moving into a retirement home, or a senior living community for companionship.
4. Improving your cognitive abilities
If you’ve been diagnosed with issues related to your cognitive health, counseling can help you exercise your mind and slow any mental deterioration. Senior counseling involves having a dialog with others, which enables you to keep up with language processing. Having in-depth discussions can keep your mind sharp and challenge you mentally.
Get Help Finding Senior Counseling Services
Reflections Management and Care staff work hard to meet the individual needs of older adults. We offer everything from senior counseling to help with care and medication management.