The Role of Therapy in Healthy Aging: Benefits & How to Get Started

There are many different types of therapy that support individuals at every stage of life. As you and your loved ones age, it’s important to understand the support that is available to address concerns as they arise. It’s equally important to learn about a proactive approach to therapy that promotes healthy aging. 

Key takeaways

• Healthy aging focuses on helping seniors achieve the best possible quality of life and encompasses physical, mental, and social wellness. 
• Therapy for older adults improves wellness outcomes and boosts mood, cognitive health, and social satisfaction.
• Common senior therapy options include physical, occupational, speech-language, psychotherapy, and art and music therapy.
• Access to information and resources will help you overcome barriers and get started with therapy. 

Understanding healthy aging 

Healthy aging focuses on maintaining the functional abilities that promote well-being in older age. These functional ability domains include a person’s capacity to:

• Meet basic needs
• Make informed decisions
• Preserve mobility
• Maintain relationships
• Contribute to society

Healthy aging does not mean a person is free of disease or physical ailments. In fact, the NCOA reports that 93% of seniors have at least one chronic condition, and 79% experience two or more. The healthy aging framework takes this into account and considers how individuals can have the best quality of life across all their important life domains, including better physical, mental, and social well-being. 

Plus, seniors who embrace healthy aging often experience greater satisfaction and discover deeper purpose and value in their lives.

Why therapy matters for seniors

At a basic level, therapy provides treatment that improves well-being outcomes. In healthy aging, therapy is designed to support the preservation of physical, mental, and social well-being. 

As we age, we experience a natural decline in physical activity, increased loneliness, and face common issues like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. All of these can take a toll on mental health and the ability to maintain healthy social connections. Fortunately, there are a variety of therapies designed to address each of these areas and support healthy aging. 

When you invest in therapy in one area, it often has a positive ripple effect on the others. 

For example, physical therapy increases the ability to participate in more social activities, which, in turn, combats loneliness and boosts mental health. Strengthening the mind through cognitive exercises and therapy has positive effects on physical and social health. Therapy aimed at healthy aging extends beyond treating health conditions, leading to a more fulfilling life overall.  

Types of therapy and their roles

A holistic approach to healthy aging can include a combination of therapies tailored to an individual’s needs. Here are some common therapy options for older adults and how they are used.

Psychotherapy

There are many different types of psychotherapy that address a variety of mood disorders and help manage symptoms of chronic illness experienced by older adults. With up to one in four seniors living with depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, it’s crucial that you and your caregivers know about the mental health therapies available and when to seek them out.

Here are some examples of psychotherapy modalities for seniors:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that helps individuals change their thinking and behavior to improve their mood and quality of life. 
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on strengthening people’s relationships and mood. 
• Reminiscence therapy draws from an individual’s past life events, thoughts, and feelings to improve depression and overall quality of life. 
• Therapeutic groups are led by licensed mental health professionals who provide grief and mental health treatment in a group setting. 
• Complicated grief therapy (CGT) helps people who live with prolonged grief to accept loss and adapt.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provides talk therapy to people who experience intense emotions, including those with borderline personality disorder and other mental health conditions.
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) often used to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and helps individuals address traumatic events.

As you and your loved ones age, grief becomes more common and can intensify as you experience more loss over time. 1 in 10 adults over age 65 experience prolonged grief, which can lead to loneliness, depression, and sleep disturbances that contribute to a lower quality of life. 

Because symptoms of grief may present along with preexisting anxiety and depression, it’s important to screen for mental health concerns and empower yourself with ways to manage them. There are many different types of therapy that can treat both grief and mental health, varying from CBT and IPT to group therapy. More targeted treatments are available, like reminiscence therapy to resolve depression and complicated grief therapy that addresses prolonged grief. 

No matter what you’re experiencing, it’s never too late and you don’t have to face it alone. There are many tools and approaches available that have effective and lasting results.  

Sailor Health offers individual psychotherapy for older adults, covered by Medicare. 

Art and music therapies

Art and music therapy for seniors has been shown to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and boost mood and social engagement. For adults after stroke and Alzheimer's, music and art allow opportunities for non-verbal expression, and can add to a sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

While some music therapy involves participants playing instruments (active music therapy), studies show that simply listening to music (receptive music therapy) results in a significant improvement in cognitive function and depression.

Art and music therapy can be carried out individually, in groups, at specialized art and music centers, or as part of the programming offered at senior centers or medical facilities.

Art and music therapy for seniors can include a variety of activities:

• Painting
• Drawing
• Photography
• Coloring
• Writing
• Quilting
• Knitting
• Sculpting
• Dancing
• Singing
• Receptive music
• Active music
  

In addition to the mental health and cognitive benefits, these therapies provide a pathway to healthy aging that strengthens self-expression, social connection, and a sense of belonging.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is common following surgery, injury, and to help manage chronic conditions. Overall, physical therapy for seniors is designed to:

• Improve fitness and mobility
• Reduce pain 
• Decrease the risk of falls

Only about 23% of individuals ages 65 and up meet the recommendations for physical activity as outlined by the National Council on Aging. Physical therapy is one way that can support older adults in reaching higher levels of fitness and mobility while also improving pain. With a variety of exercises that can be performed at a physical therapy center and in the comfort of your home, a solid physical therapy plan ensures you can take advantage of the best possible health and fitness outcomes.

Fall prevention is another important benefit of physical therapy. Each year, one in four adults ages 65 and older report a fall, and 37% require medical attention. 

You or your loved one may qualify for fall prevention therapy if you:

• Have fallen in the past year
• Have a fear of falling
• Have conditions affecting motor abilities, like arthritis 
• Use furniture and walls to maintain balance

Ask your medical provider if a fall risk assessment is right for you. It will address your mobility, strength, and your home environment to ensure you have the proper physical therapy exercises and safety measures in place so you can move with confidence.

Occupational therapy

Many seniors are concerned with maintaining independence, and 77% of adults age 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age. Occupational therapy helps individuals complete daily activities and tasks safely and more easily, allowing them to live as independently as possible. 

Occupational therapy addresses activities of daily living (ADLs), the tasks people perform to meet basic needs, such as self-care, eating, and using the bathroom.  There are many adaptive strategies for ADLs that you are probably familiar with, including shower chairs, shoehorns, specialized utensils, grab bars, and walkers.

 Common adaptive strategies for activities of daily living (ADLs) include:

• Bathing → Shower chair, handheld showerhead
• Dressing → Shoe horn, button hook, dressing stick
• Eating → Specialized utensils, plate guard, non-slip mats
• Using the toilet → Grab bar, raised toilet seat
• Moving around the house → Walker, wheelchair, cane

Other strategies include home modifications, such as removing trip hazards, and energy conservation, such as sitting down when putting on your socks. With the right occupational therapy, you can manage your health and home with independence and confidence.

Overcoming common barriers

By simply reading this article, you are already taking a step toward overcoming a common barrier — lack of awareness — by gathering information about the positive effects of therapy on healthy aging. Seeking out additional information and having conversations with loved ones and your medical providers are great ways to continue learning.

Stigma is also an obstacle to accessing treatment. Common stigmas for older adults around mental health and chronic illness include that they are “signs of weakness” or “just a normal part of aging.” While it is true that mental and physical health can decline with age, the therapies and treatments available are designed to support the highest quality of life, regardless of age. 

In fact, when it comes to mental health, seniors have better outcomes in psychotherapy than working-age adults. The best way to overcome stigma is to learn the facts by familiarizing yourself with the different therapies and their outcomes.

Depending on your financial situation, you might face concerns about costs and even transportation to and from appointments. However, many therapists accept insurance, including Medicare.  Additionally, if transportation is an issue, you can seek virtual therapy from the comfort of your own home.

With such significant benefits to gain, it’s crucial that seniors and their caregivers are aware of the barriers and how to overcome them, so they can seek out the best possible care options.

How to get started with therapy

Once you’ve identified the need for therapy, there are a few things to consider that can make finding a therapist and getting started with therapy a bit easier. As you search for options, your current health care provider can be a valuable resource. Enlist family and friends to offer support as you weigh your options and progress in your therapy journey.  

Exploring therapy options

Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start when you’re exploring therapy options.  Factors like how you’ll pay for therapy, the setting, and personality fit can help you narrow things down and decide on the right therapist. 

In-network

Searching directly through your insurance provider is the most efficient way to find an in-network therapist. You can filter based on location, specialty, and even more personal preferences such as gender and credentials. And, insurance providers make it easy to contact a potential therapist to learn more. Many forms of therapy qualify under Medicare Part B, including:

• Mental health therapy 
• Speech-language services
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy

It’s always a good idea to cross-check between your insurance and therapy provider to ensure coverage and learn about potential costs associated with therapy.

Setting

There are different therapy settings to consider, including in-person, telehealth or in-home visits. And therapy can take place in different formats like individual or group sessions. If you’re unsure of the options, your healthcare provider can help you decide the best fit for your needs. 

• In-person therapy offers direct, personal attention and requires transportation to get you to and from appointments.
• Online therapy provides remote flexibility and requires an internet connection, device, and might require a quiet, private space.
• In-home therapy offers privacy and accessibility for those with disabilities or other mobility concerns, but sometimes cost more than other care.
• Individual therapy creates a confidential space where you may feel more free to share your thoughts, feelings and personal struggles.
• Family therapy can be supportive or challenging depending on your family dynamics, so it’s important to have shared goals.
• Group therapy is an atmosphere of community support that can help normalize your experience, but requires trust in your environment as it’s not totally private.

Personality fit

It’s important to feel that you can relate to and trust your therapist. To ensure you will find a good connection, it’s helpful to think about what matters most to you when it comes to comfort. Some tips to guide you include getting information on the following:

• Background: Read bios available on therapy websites to get an understanding of the provider’s style and credentials. 
• Identity: Consider whether you would prefer a therapist of a particular age, gender, race, or religion.
• Specialization: Do you want them to be able to address specific concerns like depression, anxiety or trauma? 
• Approach: Would you prefer someone more clinical and knowledgeable or warm and inviting?

Starting therapy

Knowing what to expect before your first appointment is helpful. Many therapists offer a free consultation call to introduce themselves and the services they provide. The therapist will guide you through questions during the call to learn more about you and discuss treatment goals. If your therapist doesn’t offer a consult call, you can review this information during your initial session.

It’s beneficial to show up to a consult call or first appointment with some prepared questions. Good starter questions are: 

• What is your approach to therapy?
• What experience do you have with (a specialized area of focus you’re looking for)? 
• Will we have sessions on a regular day and time? 
• Do you offer virtual and in-person appointments?
• How will you measure my progress? 
• Do you accept insurance, and what is the cost per session?
• Does your practice offer a sliding scale or any financial support?
• What is your cancellation policy?

Establishing a schedule with your therapist and ensuring you have transportation lined up is another key to being prepared. Continuing to learn about the type of therapy you’re receiving and discussing it with loved ones will help you get started and stay on track. Your therapist can recommend resources, groups, and activities that can be beneficial in achieving your goals. Take advantage of all they have to offer.

Understanding the benefits of therapy and healthy aging is an important step you’re taking toward your best life. When you’re prepared for and open to the different therapies available, you’ll experience health benefits that contribute to greater wellbeing and enjoyment of life for years to come. 

How Sailor Health can help

Sailor Health is an invaluable partner on your healthy aging journey. Our clinicians specialize in mental health for seniors, and many of them are older adults themselves, so they understand where you’re coming from. Psychotherapy can greatly improve your quality of life and play a key role in healthy aging. 

Sailor Health does not provide art and music therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. However, if you recieve psychotherapy through Sailor Health, your clinician can help point you in the right direction.

We offer telehealth via computer, phone, or even landline. Plus, most Medicare patients have a $0 copay. We’re here to help you embrace aging and take care of your mental health along the way. 

Your next chapter starts now. Get started today. 

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