When we see mental healthcare such as therapy being shown in the media, too often it seems to be a luxury of the young. On TV, in movies, and more, it’s always twenty-somethings coming into their own or professionals who have recently experienced trauma and are forced to go to therapy for work.
But the truth is there is no age limit on mental health issues or mental health treatment. People at any age can receive and benefit from therapy, and it’s just as important for the 25% of older adults diagnosed with mental health conditions.1 It is imperative to address ageism in therapy and make therapy more accessible to older adults.
The Mental Healthcare Landscape For Older Adults
Reluctance on the Part of the Individual
In some cases, older adults simply refuse to reach out for mental health treatment. They may be afraid of losing their independence or they may fear being a burden. This can often be tied back to ageism in our society, however. When we see older adults as helpless or burdensome for needing help, it is understandable that a senior may not want to reach out for mental health treatment.
Stigma or Generational Differences
Older adults may also fear stigma and judgment from their peers when it comes to receiving mental health treatment. Because mental health treatment was not as widespread two and more generations ago, a stigma often still remains about receiving treatment. Mental health concerns may be dismissed as “made up,” a cry for attention, or a luxury. It is important to show that mental health concerns are very real and can be addressed at any age.
Mistrust Due to Elder Abuse
Accessibility and Affordability
Finally, there’s the matter of whether or not older adults can actually access mental healthcare at all. Those in lower socioeconomic statuses may struggle to pay for healthcare, especially if retired or unemployed. Physical disabilities may also mean that they cannot go into the therapy office. By expanding telehealth and working to make mental health treatments more physically affordable, older patients can receive the treatment they need.
Myths About Therapy For Older Adults
One of the greatest harms that ageism does is create widespread misconceptions about mental health treatments for older adults and the effectiveness of it. Recognize these myths so that you can combat them in conversations surrounding mental healthcare:
Treating Mental Health Issues in Older Adults Is a Waste of Time
Quality of life matters at any stage of life. Many older adults may need therapy to help them through life transitions, such as transitioning from working to retirement or the loneliness that can come from empty nest syndrome. Mental illnesses also don’t cease to exist as people get older and symptoms can in fact worsen with time, requiring more treatment.
Older Adults Are Unlikely To Change At Their Age
While it may be more difficult to change as you get older, change is possible at any age. Research shows that older adults can respond to a variety of psychotherapies as well as younger adults and make beneficial life changes because of it. Ultimately, it comes down to the person’s willingness to change at any age, and to the compatibility with their therapist.
Most Mental Illnesses Only Became Common Recently
When therapy and mental health treatment became more accessible and widespread, people often made comments like “everyone has anxiety now,” “ADHD is overdiagnosed,” or other sentiments to imply that mental illness became prevalent only recently. While instant access to the news and heightened political tensions, as well as a global pandemic, certainly raised occurrences of anxiety and depression, the truth is that mental illnesses have existed in every generation. It’s only that older adults may not have had access to diagnosis and treatment when they were younger. Now that they do, it’s as important as ever to reach it.
How To Address Ageism In Therapy
Find Age Competent Mental Health Providers
Try to find a therapist who works with other older adults and has experience with that demographic. These therapists will be more understanding of the unique issues that older adults face and the barriers to mental health treatment. It will also be easier to be more open with therapists who understand.
Talk About Age-Related Stigma
Talk about the struggles to reach out for mental health treatment as an older adult. This may be a stigma from those around you, but it can also be your own internal biases. Maybe you yourself feel that you’re “too old to change” or that therapy is a waste of time. Be open with your therapist about that. They can encourage you to challenge these mindsets and get the treatment you need.
Challenge Ageism In Therapy
If something strikes you as ageist or discriminatory in your therapy treatment, challenge it. Bring up your discomfort and why that is. You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, especially by your therapist. If they continue to treat you in an ageist manner, leave that therapist and find a more competent provider.
Advocate For Normalization and Accessibility
Finally, there needs to be a shift in the mental health sphere towards normalization of older adults receiving treatment — as well as increased accessibility, both financially and physically. Work with providers who are already putting in the effort to meet this disparity. Look for organizations who focus on these issues to support. Share your own experiences, if you’re comfortable, with therapy and the ways it’s benefitted you. The more older adults are able to share their therapy experiences, the more normalized it becomes, pushing back against stigma.
At Rivia Mind, our skilled and compassionate clinicians are passionate about dismantling barriers of ageism from the therapy sphere. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Resources:
- The State of Mental Health Care for Older Adults – National Council on Aging
- Policy and Practice Must Benefit Older Americans – The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation
- Problematic Opioid Use Among Older Adults: Epidemiology, Adverse Outcomes and Treatment – Dufort, Alexander and Samaan, Zainab, 2021
- Health Disparities in Suicide | Suicide Prevention – Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Get the Facts on Elder Abuse – National Council on Aging
- What mental health providers should know about working with older adults – American Psychological Association
