Geriatric Mental Health

Our Approach

Older adults, especially those aged 60 or above, make important contributions to society as family members, volunteers and as active participants in the workforce. While most have good mental health, many older adults are at risk of developing mental disorders or neurological disorders as well as other health conditions such as diabetes, hearing loss, and osteoarthritis.

Older people may experience stresses which are common to all people, but also stresses that are most commonly encountered in later life, like a significant ongoing loss in capacities and a decline in functional ability.

What mental health issues are common among the elderly?

Common mental illnesses that are prevalent in seniors include isolation, depression, affective and anxiety disorder, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and psychosis, among others seen in seniors.

Many elderly also suffer from sleep and behavioral disorders like cognitive deterioration or confusion as a result of physical disorders or surgical interventions. Stay educated on the warning signs of mental health, as this can help you detect if someone or yourself is dealing with a mental illness and make it easier for you to get help earlier on before the symptoms become worse.

What are the early warning signs of deteriorating mental health?

Mental health has an impact on physical health and vice versa. Usually, mental health disorders affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Early warning signs and symptoms of a deteriorating mental health in seniors can include:

• Withdrawal from family and friends or activities
• Severe fatigue, low energy or problems sleeping
• Excessive anger, hostility or even violence
• Detachment from reality
• Inability to copy with daily issues or stressFeeling upset or down
• Confusion or the inability to concentrate
• Excessive worries and fears
• Extreme feelings of guilt
• Severe mood changes
• Issues understanding or relating to situations and other people
• Major changes in eating habits
• Suicidal thoughts

If you start to see the above signs or symptoms of mental illness in yourself or other seniors you know, it might be a good time to contact Stedfast Psychiatry to inquire about our geriatric mental health treatment options. It’s fast and easy to book an appointment. Most mental health issues do not improve on their own, and if left untreated can continue to get worse over time and cause even more serious problems.

Why is geriatric mental health important?

Research suggests that seniors benefit from supportive social connections and close personal relationships but suffer as a result of disrupted personal ties and loneliness. Depression and anxiety disorders are not uncommon health ailments experienced as you age.

Changes to memory function, reduced cognition or dementia-related illness require a specific approach normally treated by psychiatrists. Seniors need to feel good while living out the rest of their extended life, and recognizing the need for geriatric mental health is a must to lead happier and healthier lives of the members of our aging population.

What is geriatric psychiatry?

Geriatric psychiatrists focus on the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in the elderly and strive for the improvement of psychiatric care for both healthy and ill elderly patients.

Mental illness is very common and often ignored and often downplayed among the elderly community. When adults over the age of 60 suffer from a mental disorder they unfortunately may confuse the symptoms they are experiencing as the signs of aging rather than attribute their symptoms to mental illness.

If you feel you need to see a mental health professional about your mental health, contact Stedfast Psychiatry today. We are open and available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday to Sunday by appointment only. Our offices are conveniently located in both Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Boynton Beach, Florida. We serve patients from Boynton Beach FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, Jupiter FL, West Palm Beach FL, Riviera Beach FL, Century Village FL, Lake Park FL, and North Palm Beach FL.