The Challenges of Starting Therapy at an Older Age: It is Never Too Late

Starting therapy can be a challenge for anyone; starting therapy as an older adult is a whole other story. With one in four adults suffering from mental health disorders in the United States, therapy is more important than ever for combatting this statistic. Therefore, no one should disregard therapy on the basis of age: it is never too late. 

Talking therapy is a psychological treatment for mental health problems and emotional struggles. There is a range of talking therapies for individual needs. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy broadly allows one to reflect on their actions by considering their emotions, thoughts and behavior. Interpersonal therapy, on the other hand, specifically aims to alleviate depression by unpacking the subject’s relationships with those around them. With a wide range of options, therapy presents countless benefits to one’s mental health and self-improvement. From unpacking past trauma to developing coping tactics for anxiety, therapy allows one to deal with personal challenges and improve their sense of self. Additionally, therapy is crucial in diagnosing and managing mental health illnesses with the guidance of a certified professional. It is incredibly versatile, suiting the wants and desires of every unique individual at any age. 

For older people, therapy can provide long-awaited support. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how much older people struggle with mental health. Research by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) illustrates that older adults became increasingly concerned with their mental well-being throughout quarantine periods during the pandemic: In May 2020, 31% of older adults worried about the pandemic’s impact on their mental well-being, but this percentage increased to 46% in July. This feedback should not be taken lightly, as loneliness in older adults has been linked to premature mortality.

However, we must recognize that starting therapy later in life may come with a handful of additional challenges. Primarily, experts claim that older people are more resistant to seeking treatment than others. This may be partly due to the mentality of older generations, where the continuous exhibition of personal resilience and mental strength was revered. Alas, the Silent Generation (1928-1945) was named silent for a reason. In some cases, clinicians are subject to age bias: many claim that older people can’t change their ways, so trying is unworthy. Additionally, insurance does not always support mental health resources, limiting access to marginalized and underrepresented communities especially. In comparison to physical well-being, mental health gets overlooked. Thus, senior citizens are more likely to allocate their funds to more noticeable, physical issues. 

To alleviate and combat the stigma around mental health support, experts around the world are raising awareness for the importance of therapy for older people. Clinicians stress that therapy for older adults is a tool to help them deal with physical changes, prepare them for loss, and establish new connections within their identities. In fact, evidence suggests that older adults perform just as well as younger ones in psychotherapy. Some clinicians report that older individuals may even be more open to self-reflection because they recognize that they have limited time left and want to resolve past matters. Additionally, group therapy, where a clinician treats patients together in a group, is increasingly advertised to older people. Not only does it help improve mental health, but allows older people to socialize and cope with loneliness. 

Mental health should not be overlooked by anyone at any age. While it may be challenging, more options and greater awareness should facilitate therapy for older individuals, changing societal stigmas around therapy and mental health for the better.

— Eugenia Shakhnovskaya