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Positive Aging
Act of 2005 could benefit
the elderly
(December
2005 Issue)
By Ami Albernaz
A bill that seeks to integrate psychological services in health
facilities for seniors could be a boon to older New Englanders.
The Positive Aging Act of 2005, introduced in May by Senators Hillary
Clinton (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Patrick
Kennedy (D-RI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) would introduce mental
health screening and treatment into senior centers and other community
locations where seniors access primary care.
The idea would be to make mental health services easily available
to a population that is greatly in need of them, but which often
has difficulty or is resistant to accessing them.
"Even in this modern age, we're still living with the stigma and
stereotype" that prevents psychological services from being sought,
Rep. Kennedy told New England Psychologist. "Seniors sometimes have
trouble reaching out, and services have not been there when they
do. With this bill, people will be able to come in and have mental
health services available along with primary care services."
Depression among older Americans is recognized as a serious problem
that, unchecked, could lead to dire consequences. Men ages 65 and
over who are depressed are more likely to commit suicide compared
to younger men with depression. Among depressed men ages 85 and
over, the suicide rate is even higher.
Philip Pierce, Ph.D., senior psychologist at Togus VA Medical Center
in Augusta, Maine says that many people are dealt blows in their
later lives to which depression is a logical response. "What happens
when you get older is you incur physical loss and social loss -
you lose your parents, loved ones, friends. You incur a lot of loss
between the ages of 65 and 85," he says.
Integrating psychological screening, particularly for depression
and dementia, with primary care is an effective way to stem the
problem, Pierce says. And an effective screening is simple.
"Primary care physicians should be trained to screen for depression,
and all you have to say is, 'Are you depressed?' Most people will
tell you. If you get a positive, then you refer them to a mental
health specialist," he says.
Such an approach has been taken toward VA patients, regardless
of age, for the past few years, Pierce says. During that time, the
number of patients receiving psychological treatment has doubled.
If passed, the legislation would provide grants through the Administration
on Aging for mental health screening and treatment in settings such
as senior centers and retirement communities. Special consideration
would be given to areas with significant numbers of older adults
and underserved areas. The act would also provide grants to bolster
substance abuse prevention efforts.
In New England, the act could be particularly beneficial. Rhode
Island and Maine both rank near the top in terms of the percentage
of residents who are ages 65 and older, while Massachusetts and
Maine both have rapidly growing 65-plus populations.
"Seniors, for a variety of reasons, have difficulty reaching out
for mental health services. If they can go for these services in
the same places they receive primary care, that would be extremely
beneficial," says Eric Margolies, Psy.D., a psychologist in Waterbury,
Conn. who consults with a primary care facility.
He adds that some seniors have been instilled with the attitude
that difficulties should be kept to themselves and might feel more
comfortable addressing these issues in a primary care setting. "Gaining
access to mental health services via primary care settings would
assist the elderly in getting connected with a psychologist or other
mental health professional in a setting which likely already is
a comfort zone.
The elders hopefully would feel a sense of security and confidence
knowing that their primary care physicians are looking out for their
physical health and also their mental or emotional health," Margolies
says.
The Positive Aging Act has been supported by a variety of elderly
advocacy groups and the American Psychological Association. At the
time of this writing, it is not known when Congress will vote upon
it.
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