-
The Holidays Are Coming: How to Handle Disagreements
Key Points: Group narcissism refers to the tendency to exaggerate the positive image and importance of a group to which one belongs. Factors woven into the psychology of individuals may increase the likelihood of buying into group beliefs. Pay attention to how your emotions affect your...
-
Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults
Social isolation and loneliness are health risks that affect a quarter of American adults 65 and older (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020). Social isolation is defined as the objective state of having few social relationships or infrequent social contact with others,...
-
Supporting Seniors: Challenges and Solutions for Tomorrow
As the United States undergoes a profound demographic transformation, the aging population poses unprecedented challenges and opportunities. The proportion of individuals over 65 is projected to swell from 18% today to 23% by 2054, with the number of centenarians set to quadruple. This...
-
Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Today’s Older Adults: Considerations for Innovation
Between 2010 and 2020, the US experienced the largest-ever 10-year gain for those in the >65 age bracket, with an increase of 15.5 million people. According to the US Census Bureau, one in four Americans will be age 65 or older by 2060 (Caplan, 2023). Although today’s expanding older adult...
-
Financial Insecurity in Geriatric Populations
People are living longer, and the cost of living continues to rise. Where does that leave our next generation of seasoned individuals once they can no longer work? Will my family have the means to take care of me? Do I have a family? Will I have financial insecurity? Can I afford a nursing home?...
-
Complexities in Caring for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement
It has been widely reported that individuals with chronic behavioral health conditions experience significantly diminished life expectancies (Chesney et al., 2014). This tragic phenomenon may be attributed, at least in part, to comorbid medical conditions commonly associated with the aging process....
-
Fountain House’s Silver Center for Older Adults: It Takes a Village to “Live Long and Prosper” with Behavioral Health Challenges
What’s in a name? Just as age 60 is supposedly the new 40, the silver hair on older heads is now apparently worth its weight in gold. However, the “silver” in Silver Center refers to the respect certain cultures, such as the Japanese, confer on their elders. So, when you read about the...
-
Chronic Pain and Its Impacts: An Overview & Possible Management Options
When a person goes through depression, the impact of that weight can manifest in the form of physical pain and other bodily discomfort. On the other hand, chronic pain has a significant effect on behavioral health. Recurring physical pain can lead to mood swings, lack of appetite, lack of...
-
A “Prescription” for Integrated Care for Chronic Pain and Associated Conditions
A rising incidence of physical pain, and chronic physical pain in particular, necessitates a comprehensive examination of its underpinnings and relationship with other dimensions of health and wellbeing. This poses unique challenges for behavioral healthcare providers who operate amid a deeply...
-
Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Future of Integrated Care for All
In a landmark move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS, announced on January 19, 2024 the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model. This initiative is a game-changer in healthcare, especially for underserved and marginalized communities where health disparities...
