Aging brings a variety of life changes. Some welcome, some not. One change that is not a normal part of the aging process is depression or anxiety.
Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging.
Feeling down every once in a while is a normal part of life, but if these feelings last a few weeks or months, you may be dealing with something more serious.
If you are someone you know has experienced any of the following, this program might be right for you.
- Anxiety
- Changes in appetite
- Depression
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feelings of sadness or grief lasting more than two weeks
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
- Lost a spouse or close family member
- Loss of energy
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Recently experienced a traumatic event
After assessing an individual’s needs, participants meet up to three times per week in a supportive, encouraging group setting.
The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed therapists, a registered nurse, and other professionals dedicated to the emotional well-being of the seniors in our community.
Anyone can make a referral to the program. This includes self, family members, physicians, or other healthcare professionals.
For more information about Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program, call 816-629-2629.
Senior Life Solutions is located behind Excelsior Springs Hospital located at 1700 Rainbow Blvd. Please watch for signage.
Founded in 2003, Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC) operates inpatient and outpatient programs located in rural communities across the country. Founder and Chief Medical Officer, James A. Green, M.D., a geriatric psychiatrist, was born and raised in a rural community, which today hosts a rural hospital. He developed PMC with the sole mission to improve the quality of life of older adults living in rural communities. PMC, which operates the Senior Life Solutions outpatient program and Green Oak Behavioral inpatient facilities, is one of the largest geriatric mental health management companies within rural hospitals across the United States.
Seasonal Community Education, Provided by Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions Program:
The Benefits of Talk Therapy
To understand the benefits of talk therapy, you must first understand what talk therapy is. Verywell Mind explains that talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is the use of verbal techniques designed to help improve the quality of life for those it serves by reducing or eliminating symptoms, helping to build coping skills, and improving communication.
Now that you understand talk therapy, let’s dive into the benefits of it as discussed by Marian Margulies, Ph.D., a psychologist in New York City in Forbes magazine.
- “A huge benefit of talk therapy is that its effects are long-lasting.” Many people were taught to keep their feelings to themselves, which often leads to the development of negative thought processes. Having a safe space to talk about your feelings is one of the biggest benefits of talk therapy. It allows you to address those suppressed feelings and learn how to move forward. (Forbes, 2014)
- “You know you’re not alone.” Talk therapy can be provided in a variety of settings, including group therapy or a support group. This allows you an opportunity to talk with others who may be experiencing similar things and find support and assurance through speaking about your experiences and listening to them talk about theirs. (Forbes, 2014)
- “The positive gains continue and grow over time as though some of the work gets further consolidated after therapy stops.” Much of talk therapy is spent discussing events, issues, and/or trauma you have experienced that may have impacted your current mental health. This allows you an opportunity to address those situations and build coping skills for the future. This helps you reduce the impact certain conditions have on your overall well-being and set you up for success. (Forbes, 2014)
- “…Depression and anxiety are well known to have significant, and sometimes debilitating, physical effects.” Those struggling mentally often physically feel the effects of chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, etc. Because talk therapy is designed to help improve your mental health, it often helps reduce the physical impact declined mental health can have on your body. (Forbes, 2014)
Talk therapy is designed to meet each person’s specific needs, so how each person benefits will be slightly different. The important thing to remember is that if you, or someone you know, needs support, it is always okay to reach out for help. We understand that asking for help can be difficult, but we want you to know you are not alone. Whether through our program, or another service, we want to work with you to identify and address any unmet needs to provide you with the support you need and deserve.
We are your Excelsior Springs Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program, designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older, experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Call us today 816-629-2629.