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Mental Health Blog

Melanie Donohue, LCSW

Melanie Donohue, LCSW

Founder & Licensed Clinical Social Worker

The Negative Effects of Social Isolation on the Elderly

Social isolation is one of the most serious problems affecting older adults in the United States. An alarming percentage of the senior population feels lonely, and the effects of isolation and loneliness are harmful for all aspects of your health. If you or an aging

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Does PTSD Get Worse as You Get Older?

Mental health doesn’t always remain constant across the lifespan. Some of the challenges you faced as a younger adult may fade away with age, but you may experience new hardships as you get older.   One of the more common mental health disorders among seniors

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Coping Skills for Elderly Adults After a Trauma

Trauma can affect people of all ages, but it can be particularly challenging for seniors. As you age, your chances of encountering certain types of traumatic stress increase. You may face a difficult medical diagnosis, you may have to move out of your long-time home,

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Benefits of Laughter for Seniors

Every culture values jokes and laughter. Laughter can immediately boost our mood and brighten our day. Even though everyone doesn’t necessarily have the same sense of humor, everyone enjoys laughing at something. Unfortunately, sometimes we forget the importance of laughter and specifically how laughter with

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Therapist Tips: 7 Rules of Therapist Confidentiality

As a therapist, you understand the importance of confidentiality. Your clients share vulnerable, personal information with you, and it’s your responsibility to keep that information private. Trust is a key factor in the therapeutic relationship, and maintaining therapist confidentiality allows your clients to open up

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How to Cope With the Aging Process

Aging brings about a number of life changes. You may be looking into retirement, welcoming new grandchildren into the world, or moving to a senior community. There are a number of challenges that can occur as you age, too, like health issues or a decline

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Cancer and Depression in Older Adults

Health issues are an unfortunately common reality for older adults. Although many seniors enjoy retirement without serious health concerns, aging does increase your risk of a number of illnesses. Cancer can be a particularly devastating diagnosis, and managing it can take a toll on your

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8 Hobbies for Seniors

As you age, you’ll probably find that you have more time on your hands. Your kids are out of the house, and you may be retired or partially retired from work. It’s important to find ways to stay busy, though. Not only are hobbies helpful

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Helping Seniors Cope With Pet Loss

Losing a pet is one of the most difficult and painful hardships in life. The love between a person and their pet is unconditional, and the joy we get from caring for our pets is unmatched. Most people find that the experience of loving a

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