Memphis, Mo. – Mental Health Awareness month is upon us and for seniors Scotland County Hospital is offering resources.
Their Senior Life Solutions Program is dedicated to addressing the emotional and behavioral health of adults 65 and older.
Age brings many joys but can also bring difficult life transitions like losing loved ones and stress from age-related health problems.
This program provides older residents with a supportive, encouraging and positive atmosphere to express themselves without feeling ashamed for sharing how they truly feel.
Medical professionals say that often when one’s mental health improves, it can positively impact their physical health.
“These individuals come in and they are so down, and their mind feels dark, and they feel so alone, and they have these complaints of back pains, and the stomach issues, not being able to sleep and the night sweats,” said Program Director for SLS at Scotland County Hospital, Tonya Small. “When they start to feel better mentally, then they start saying that those aches and those pains have now gone away. So, they’re just all around feeling better.”
The program meets three times a week with board-certified psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, always in attendance.