Worried Older Loved One Has Depression? Expert Tips

Описание: Worried an older adult has depression? Here’s how to help

Untreated depression in older adults isn’t just a mental health issue—it’s a public health crisis.

When older adults don’t get the mental health care they need, here’s what happens:

✔️ Medical conditions worsen
✔️ Medication use increases (one of the top complaints among older adults)
✔️ ER visits and hospitalizations rise—along with healthcare costs
✔️ Caregiver and family strain intensifies
✔️ Risk of dementia increases
✔️ And most concerning of all: suicide risk goes up

But here’s the good news—late-life depression is highly treatable. And it starts with you.

Here’s how to help an older adult in your life:
🩺 Step 1: Encourage a full medical check-up
Medical conditions and medications can cause or worsen depressive symptoms. Ask the doctor to screen for depression during the visit.

🧠 Step 2: Connect them with a mental health provider who specializes in working with older adults

Older adults have unique needs that require specialized care.

That’s why we created the Center for Mental Health & Aging’s National Provider Directory—a free tool to help families and professionals find licensed therapists trained in older adult mental health.

👉 Explore the directory - https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/...

Help to spread the message…

Depression is not a normal part of aging and is highly treatable among older adults.

Older adults can grow, heal, and thrive—because there is no expiration date on healing, transformation, or growth.
If you found this helpful, will you share it with someone who could benefit?
Together, we can transform mental health care for older adults.


👉 GET ALL THE RESOURCES & REFERENCES HERE:
https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/...

DID THIS EPISODE INSPIRE YOU? Share it with a colleague or friend.

REMEMBER: It’s only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults. Thank you for being here.

If you believe in a world where older adults should receive compassionate, expert mental health care, just like everyone else —join us. Learn how we’re training professionals around the world, and how you can get involved.

Together, we’re creating a movement to elevate mental health for older adults—because healing, transformation, and love don’t have an expiration date.

LOOKING FOR A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER WHO SPECIALIZES WITH OLDER ADULTS? Find a provider here: https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/...


ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL?
Download your FREE Mental Health & Aging Guide:
👉 https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/...

SUBSCRIBE:
🛎️    / @drreginakoepp  

CONNECT:
📸 Instagram:   / drreginakoepp  
📘 Facebook:   / drreginakoepp  
💼 LinkedIn:   / regina-koepp  

ABOUT DR. REGINA KOEPP & THE CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH & AGING
Welcome to the go-to resource for mental health and aging. I’m Dr. Regina Koepp, a clinical geropsychologist and founder of the Center for Mental Health and Aging. Each week, I share evidence-based insights about aging, caregiving, dementia, and end of life so you can bring compassionate care to a whole new level.


DISCLAIMER:
The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing herself in her show, blogs, and on her website.