Grandparents of today often serve as caregivers of their grandchildren, if not also of their own parents. They face challenges many of us don’t realize, and life changes for people aged 55 and older cause increased risk of depression.
If you or a loved one feels overwhelmed by the changing roles and responsibilities of older life, Family Service of Roanoke Valley has a team of trained professionals to help. Depression is the number one mental health problem and the leading cause of suicide for older adults. Combined with the increased potential for substance use, including additional prescription medications and greater alcohol consumption, depression in older adults can create a family and community crisis.
If you or a loved one feels overwhelmed by the changing roles and responsibilities of older life, Family Service of Roanoke Valley has a team of trained professionals to help. Depression is the number one mental health problem and the leading cause of suicide for older adults. Combined with the increased potential for substance use, including additional prescription medications and greater alcohol consumption, depression in older adults can create a family and community crisis.
As we saw with the death of Robin Williams, who took his own life at the age of 63, depression and suicidal tendencies in older adults may not always be recognizable. Older adults are twice as likely as the general population to commit suicide. They are at risk for situational depression because of the many losses suffered during this stage of life, including death of loved ones, retirement, poor health, and loss of independence.
In 1972, Family Service created the Adults Plus Program, and to this day provide individual and family counseling, mediation, case management, financial management assistance, and other “wrap around” services to seniors in the Roanoke Valley. Adults Plus is the only program of its kind in the region to offer counseling on a sliding fee scale in private homes, nursing homes, and assisted living centers. The program removes barriers to providing services to those who need it by addressing the Valley’s need for accessible and affordable mental health services.
The goal in counseling for older adults is to promote and improve individual and family health and emotional wellness and personal growth by increasing positive psychological, social and occupational functioning. The long-held holistic approach of Family Service is critical to treating the aging population.
Keep up with the service learning projects and accomplishments of the youth served by Family Service by visiting www.fsrv.org, and Like the agency on Facebook www.facebook.com/FamilyServiceOfRoanokeValley.
