Aging and Geriatric Issues

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. – Isaiah 46:4

While the evening of one’s life is often marked by such things as retirement, leisure, and grandchildren, it is also often marked by a growing number of health and vitality issues that make adjusting to one’s old age a challenge. These issues can make this time of life a difficult adjustment for many people. With the help of God, however, it is possible to enter into one’s later years with grace.

If you are wrestling with any of the issues that arise as a result of growing older, you will appreciate the warm and sympathetic counseling offered at Spokane Christian Counseling. Our counselors believe that a safe place is necessary for people to be able to honestly express their fears and talk about their specific needs.

They will seek to direct you to the ever-present and unchangeable Christ, focusing on His promises to His people. Whether you are battling depression, loneliness, anxiety, grief, or some other challenge, a sense of hope can be yours.

Several issues arise that are common to those in their later years.These include:

Depression: Sadly, many people over 60 years of age experience depression. Having someone to talk to and confide in can be a real help in treating this condition. Spokane Christian Counseling lots of experience in treating depression. The Holy Spirit is able to bring about remarkable healing through counseling, so if you or your loved one suffers from depression, the time to contact us is now.

Anxiety: Anxiety can have multiple sources. Considering all of the changes that occur as one ages, it should come as no shock that quite a few seniors experience it. Spokane Christian Counseling provides Christian anxiety counseling for people of all ages. Our counselors will get to the fountain head of the anxiety and provide you with techniques to handle and conquer it through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Loneliness: Loneliness is not strictly something experienced by seniors, but is experienced by people of every age. For seniors, however, it is particularly challenging because it is intensified by the challenges they experience, such as physical limitations, altered living conditions, deaths of loved ones, etc. Our counselors will provide a sympathetic ear and will help you or your loved one develop a godly perspective that restores your joy in the Lord.

Loss of Independence: Losing one’s independence can be very tough to deal with. This loss of independence can look different (losing driving privileges, the ability to cook, or to live alone) depending on who you are. Instead of merely gritting your teeth and accepting it, contact our counselors to get help in learning to handle it with grace.

Grief: Like loneliness, grief can strike at different times and places and is no respecter of one’s age. You may have experienced the loss of a loved one, job, privilege, or ability and be grieving over these losses. Grief is usually many-faceted, and while no one-size-fits-all method of treating it exists, it always helps to have a friendly ear to turn to as you begin to wrestle with your emotions and start healing.

Age Discrimination: It is common knowledge that our society is characterized by disrespect from the young toward the old. The results of a survey of adults over 60 by Health Journal confirm this:

• 67% believed that age discrimination is a real problem.
• 37% experienced age discrimination in the last year.
• 43% were afraid of violence.
• 50% felt they were not treated with respect.

If you have experienced any of the following, Christian geriatric counseling can help:

• Aging workforce
• Disrespect from the younger generation.
• Intimidation, emotional abuse, or manipulation through violence or threats.

Health Problems

As we move through the aging process we begin to experience its natural symptoms in our bodies. Chronic and other serious health conditions can set in, that hamper mobility, make you face personal weakness, and drain the joy out of life. There is hope, however!As God told his people in the Old Testament: “Even to your old age, I will be the same and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4).

Christian geriatric counseling can teach you how to handle issues brought on by the aging process:

• Age-related health concerns.
• Decreased independence and increased reliance on others for care.
• Emotions related to declining health.
• Challenges involving medical care.

Just because you are experiencing the effects of aging doesn’t mean that you are cut off from the blessings that God has provided for you in Christ. Christian geriatric counseling can help you on the journey toward coming to terms with aging and experiencing those blessings personally.

Cognitive Mental Health Challenges

Many seniors experience a general decline in cognitive function, especially experiencing things like forgetfulness. While this is common, it can also be a symptom of something more serious such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, even where it is not a symptom of Alzheimer’s, the reduced cognitive function can bring on depression, anxiety, and paranoia. It is estimated that around 15% of adults over 60 have some sort of mental condition. Christian geriatric counseling can help diagnose and treat the following mental health concerns:

• Anxiety
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
• Alcohol and substance abuse

When treating these types of emotional and mental health issues in senior citizens a different touch is needed that accounts for the age-related emotional, cognitive, and physical health issues that all come into play to varying degrees.

By design, we were made to be in a relationship. Our needs with regard to our relationships will necessarily change as we grow older. You may be single and want to find love again. Or, maybe familial relationships have suffered damage or strain. Regardless of what you may be facing, God has promised wisdom if we ask for it in faith. Spokane Christian Counseling can help you find that wisdom so that you can enjoy healthy, meaningful relationships in your old age.

Christian geriatric counseling can help treat:

• Marriage and couple’s issues.
• Family conflict.
• Dating and new relationships.
• Challenges to proper self-esteem.

Spokane Christian Counseling would like to help you walk to the path toward fixing broken relationships or starting new ones.

Death and Dying

When contemplating death (your own or a loved one’s), there is no correct way to feel. A Christian has hope because Christ has defeated death for us, and through his resurrection we have the precious promise of eternal life. Even with that knowledge, however, the reality of the thing can be hard to face. Death agitates the emotions like nothing else, and this can have such a deep effect that your faith can be rattled.

Christian geriatric counseling can teach you to handle:

• Fear of death and dying.
• Grief and loss.
• Concerns regarding care of loved ones after you’re gone.

Our counselors h ere at Spokane Christian Counseling can help you work through your emotions so that you can experience peace, acceptance, and joy through Christ.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:8

God has charged us with caring for family, so when the aging members of our family fall ill, we make every effort to care for them. The counselors at Spokane Christian Counseling know how hard it can be to care for seniors with illness, disability, or mental illness. Doing what is right is seldom easy, and you may be forced to make critical decisions about the health of your loved ones.

Our counselors can help walk you through the complexities of:

• Care for Alzheimer’s and other cognitive illnesses.
• Emotions regarding the declining health of your loved ones.
• Making the hard calls about end-of-life care.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the difficulties involved in caring for aging family members? Let Spokane Christian Counseling be your guide and support.

Call Spokane Christian Counseling today at (509) 209-8961 or browse through our counselor directory.