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Mental Health Blog

Picture of Melanie Donohue, LCSW

Melanie Donohue, LCSW

As a licensed clinical social worker specializing in geriatric mental health, Melanie Donohue provides compassionate guidance and practical strategies to help seniors navigate the emotional complexities of aging and enhance their well-being.

Symptoms and Risk Factors of Mental Illness in the Elderly

Mental illness is a serious problem affecting seniors, but many people don’t know how to spot it. According to the World Health Organization, about 15 percent of people over the age of 60 have a mental disorder. Their symptoms often go overlooked, though, because they’re

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Mindfulness Activities for Seniors

Mindfulness is one of the most popular meditation and mental health practices. Its purpose is to increase your awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment without worrying about the past or future. Mindfulness activities help seniors with anxiety, depression, stress, and

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Coping With Loss as We Age

As we age, death and loss become more common in our families and social circles. Grief is painful at any age, but it’s often overlooked in older adults. If you’re experiencing grief and learning how to cope with the death of close friends or family

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Effective Stress Management Activities for Seniors

Stress management skills are necessary at any age, but coping with stress is especially important for senior health. Chronic stress can lead to serious health issues in older adults, so keeping your stress levels in check should be one of your priorities. Stress is a

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Combating Loneliness in Seniors

Loneliness is one of the most common problems affecting older adults, and it has serious consequences. According to a 2018 poll from the University of Michigan, one-third of adults age 50 to 80 feel a lack of companionship, and 27 percent feel isolated. Around 28

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Fun Indoor Activities for Seniors

While routine and consistency can be very helpful for older adults, doing the same few activities over and over can get boring. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when your senior loved one spends most of their time at home, so you should

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Understanding and Minimizing Symptoms of Sundown Syndrome

Sundowning, also known as sundown syndrome or sundowners syndrome, is a common challenge for seniors with dementia. Support from caregivers is essential for managing this syndrome and reducing symptoms. If you have a loved one with Alzheimers disease or dementia, you should understand what sundowning

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Does Medicare Cover Counseling Services?

Yes, Medicare covers many types of therapy services, including mental health treatment. But it depends on the kind of therapy and what Medicare plan you have. This guide breaks down exactly what is covered, what it costs, and how to find a provider who accepts

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5 Tips for Talking to a Parent With Dementia

If you have a parent with dementia, you may have noticed a change in their communication skills. Dementia affects receptive and expressive language, so carrying on a conversation may not be as easy as it used to be. Your parent’s level of communication can change

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5 Tips for Caring for Elderly Parents

Most people will need to provide or arrange care for their parents at some point in their lives. According to a 2015 AARP report, more than 34 million Americans provide unpaid care each year to adults age 50 or older. As the elderly population grows,

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