Counseling and Support for Seniors and Those Transitioning to Retirement
Long Island Counseling Service has a team of local therapists that work with patients of all ages, providing comforting support and personal service that help you feel seen, understood, and welcome. Many of our patients are seniors that are looking to transition to a new phase in their lives.
If you are senior – or a senior couple – and would like to learn more about our therapy and couples counseling services, please contact us today. We have an amazing team of therapists, two offices (one in East Meadow and one in Melville), and can provide Telehealth for those with limited mobility. Contact us today to learn more.
Mental Health Issues Affecting Seniors
Change can be difficult. Studies show that going through any major life change tend to experience a reaction in their minds that instantly sees the change and uncertainty as a negative, causing anxiety and depression – regardless of if the change is actually negative. It is our cognitive instinct as human beings to react negatively to change.
Seniors tend to go through many life changes, all in a very short amount of time. Examples of these life changes include:
- Retirement – Retirement is perhaps the most common life change affecting seniors. While it is supposed to be a time of celebration, it is also a major transition can lead to a loss of identity, purpose, and routine, potentially causing feelings of worthlessness or depression. Because all life changes can have a mental health impact, and because retirement is one of the most significant, many seniors find this new time can leave them feeling anxious, lost, sad, or depressed.
- Loss of Loved Ones – The death of friends, spouses, or peers can cause grief, loneliness, and existential questions about mortality and purpose. Seniors, more than most, tend to be in a position to lose more people close to them, including spouses. This can lead to significant life changes in addition to the stress and grief.
- Financial Stress – Changes in financial status due to retirement or increased medical expenses can cause significant anxiety and stress, and those are very common when people stop working and become dependent on their retirement.
- Relocation or Downsizing – Moving from a long-term home to a different type of residence (downsizing, moving to be close to children, or moving to a retirement community) can all be part of a transition that can dramatically alter a person’s daily life and happiness.
- Health Decline – Although seniors may experience health declines at very different rates, physical health issues, such as chronic pain, mobility issues, or serious illnesses like cancer or heart disease, can lead to life transitions that may cause anxiety, stress, and depression.
These types of transitions can be very difficult, even if the transition can generally be considered a positive – like retiring, traveling, or moving to a new city to be close to family. That is why it can be useful to work with a therapist to help you with the transition.
Other Issues Affecting Seniors
Transitions are not the only issues that are unique to seniors, or that may cause people to benefit from senior counseling. Others include:
- Cognitive Decline – Conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease not only affect memory and thinking skills but can also lead to confusion, frustration, and depression.
- Social Isolation – Reduced social interaction, possibly due to physical limitations or the loss of a social network, can lead to loneliness and depression.
- Decreased Independence – Needing assistance with daily activities can affect self-esteem and lead to feelings of helplessness or depression.
- Changes in Family Dynamics – Adjusting to new roles within the family, such as becoming a dependent or receiving care from children, can be challenging and impact mental well-being.
- Facing Mortality – Contemplating one’s own mortality and existential concerns can lead to anxiety, fear, or existential depression.
- Relationship Issues – Those in long term marriages may find that the marriage struggles when they are retired, the children have left the home, and they have less to do.
In addition, seniors can have similar mental health issues to those of any age. Seniors are also at risk for anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges that affect people of all ages. That is why it is very important to make sure that these issues do not go ignored, no matter how young or old someone may be.
Why Choose Long Island Counseling Services for Senior Mental Health Treatments?
Long Island Counseling Services offers support for patients of all ages, no matter their background, lifestyle, or age. We work with seniors that are struggling with transition, along with those that have issues with grief, relationship issues, physical health issues they’re trying to cope with, and more.
Our goal is to help you feel truly seen and heard, while using both evidence based solutions and custom counseling strategies to help you feel more comfortable and confident with where you are, who you are, and what the rest of your future looks like for you.
Give Long Island Counseling Services a Call Today
If you or someone you love is a senior or retiree that needs help with life transitions, health-related issues, or any mental health needs, please contact Long Island Counseling Services. We are confident that we can provide you with the ongoing support you need to help make this stage of your life happier and more fulfilling. Give us a call today to learn more.