As the numbers of assisted living residents with mental illness increases, so does the need for specialized services, says this new article from SeniorHousingNews.
According to the piece, the Institute of Medicine estimates “one in five of the older adult population” struggles with “one or more mental health and substance abuse conditions.”
Senior living providers must pay attention to these numbers and find ways to help current and future residents dealing with these issues (i.e. depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety).
In any kind of community care setting like assisted living, the range of needs among residents can vary greatly, presenting challenges for providers as they seek to meet these needs and provide excellent care and service.
The article also states that dealing with mental illness in assisted living is not a new challenge; the issues have always been there, but they were not vocalized.
Depression. Dementia. Alcoholism. These and other complex diagnoses among the current and future assisted living resident population means that providers have great responsibility, and opportunity, in the years ahead.
You may not need assisted living now, but someday, you or another family member might. What can we do now to support today’s providers so that the services we may need tomorrow are there?
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Senior Solutions says,
We are certainly heading in a direction where there is a generation entering retirement and not too far off from senior living. We need more qualified individuals to be able to take care of those that might be challenged and not able to take care of themselves properly.
on 10 September 2012 / 2:22 PM
Michelle Seitzer says,
That’s very true. The need for a qualified workforce is great. Thanks for your comment!
on 10 September 2012 / 2:33 PM