Our society doesn’t like to think about aging, but it’s an inevitability that cannot be ignored or hidden away. In 2020, the number of Americans aged 60 and older increased by 34% – from 55.7 million to 74.6 million. About 16.9% of the US population is over 65.
The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders (CARIE) says that we, as a society, are ignoring an impending crisis: the fact that our population is indeed aging, and our country’s citizens and elected officials are unwilling to admit the gravity of the situation and take actionable steps to address it. The healthcare industry is suffering from this, specifically in the arena of mental health issues. Consequently, the mental health of older adults in the U.S. is ignored, and this demographic is preyed upon, limited by a system that is entirely deficient.
Sara Walsh, LCSW, is the Clinical Director at Total Life Inc., a company that provides fast access to therapy services that are covered by Medicare. “Older adults may be shocked to discover that when they turn 65, finding a mental health provider that is covered by Medicare is nearly impossible. Total Life solves this issue,” Walsh says. “Many of our members are relieved by the speed and ease of use of our platform since they have previously been quoted wait times of up to 6 months or more to see a therapist. This is not acceptable and leaves many having to cope with these alarming statistics on their own. Right now we are challenging these current realities by providing therapists that are covered by Medicare and have immediate availability.”
She adds that since March 2020, one in five older adults reported experiencing worsening depression or sadness, and 46% reported feeling isolated from others (National Poll on Healthy Aging, 2021). This is a clear indication that the need for mental health providers in this demographic skyrocketed after the pandemic hit. However, the number of available mental health providers sharply declined, creating major cost barriers and lengthy wait times to receive therapy.
Walsh states that the goal of Total Life is to help eliminate these issues so that older adults no longer have to suffer in silence. Total Life offers private therapy, group therapy and specialized programs targeted to fight the isolation, loneliness, and depression affecting most of the 55 million older adults today. “By providing mental health care online through a senior-friendly platform, we offer an exceptionally diverse therapist network to an equally diverse patient population,” she says. “Our senior friendly virtual platform eliminates barriers formerly in place based on income, zip code, mobility, and stigma. Clients can easily access our services through our platform online or by a traditional phone call.”
Total Life has a diverse group of therapists uniquely trained and experienced in the specific issues surrounding aging, and the company provides a team of Care Coordinators to match each member with the perfect therapist for their needs, taking into account multiple factors such as background, cultural preferences, and more. Along with Medicare, Total Life accepts major insurance such as Magellan, Aenta, Cigna, and more.
“We believe in offering as many options as possible,” says Walsh. “We have one-on-one therapy, group therapy, couples’ therapy, etc. We are also launching our new 12-week program designed to combat depression.”
The therapists that work with Total Life also specialize in:
“Our therapists are experienced with supporting older adults and helping them find ways to thrive no matter the circumstances,” Walsh says. “At Total Life, it’s our mission to help older adults live their best life.” This is so vital right now, as she points to key statistics that reveal this need. About 1 in 5 older adults are tackling mental health issues, with a large majority not being able to access therapy (SAMHSA, 2019). Over 37% of older adults with a household income of under $25,000 reported anxiety or depression, which is nearly twice the rate among seniors who have an income of $100,000/year (KFF, 2020).
“The challenges of aging are unique and we have designed Total Life to serve older adults with the support they need to help them navigate life changes, illness, pain, loss, and even retirement,” Walsh says. “At Total Life, we make it easy and affordable for older adults to access support from the comfort and privacy of their own homes and often it’s fully covered by Medicare”
She is excited to announce the launch of Total Life’s one-on-one 12-week depression program. “Depression is different at every age, and unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed in older adults due to these differences,” says Walsh. “We work closely with older adults experiencing depression symptoms by providing tailored therapy sessions and treatment plans. This includes the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is one of the most well researched and effective therapy approaches for depression. Each week will cover important topics and provide some structure for the therapy sessions.”