Relationships often have periods of difficulty. These can increase as we or our loved ones age. I am a trained expert at counseling the elderly or counseling seniors and their families to achieve a better understanding of their own values and goals 
leading to discovery of their own life solutions through senior counseling which has proven quite effective for many.
For years, as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or MFT, I have been providing elderly or senior counseling and counseling for their families on issues associated with the geriatric or aging process. The medical community cannot effectively address all gerontological or geriatric issues because there is a serious lack of gerontologists in the US.
Successful aging is rarely defined or a topic of media discussion and if it is discussed any mention of dying is avoided. According to the media we should all continue forward at full tilt, maintaining health, flexibility and social involvement indefinitely. However, as we age we experience a loss of energy, muscle mass, and we experience relationship and health problems, which eventually lead us to an inability to resist the decline towards death. We all want to live life to the fullest at all stages of life, and there are common roadblocks which can be alleviated with therapy.
I am professionally trained in mediation with older adults as well as in the physiological and neurological changes associated with aging. I enjoy working with multigenerational families offering relationship advice to improve communication, understanding and remove the roadblocks to successful aging. NOTE : I am willing to make house calls for elderly patients who may be unable or unwilling to make an office visit.
What is Successful Aging? Successful aging means adjusting gracefully to changing energy levels, changing social or family 
composition and changing health. It means being willing to surrender piece by piece the accumulations of a lifetime, being willing to surrender control of finances, housework, and eventually, housing. If we are very fortunate we have someone we trust to whom to surrender the details, and we may have spiritual faith to support us in the ultimate surrender. Along the way we want the wisdom to recognize problems, which interfere with our maintaining successful independent living for as long as possible.
The Major Roadblocks to Successful Aging:
Isolation occurs when family members move away, old friends die and we can no longer safely drive a car. At this point we may not have friends or neighbors who offer to take us to social events or community functions. The effects of isolation are: Depression of the immune system; general depression; increased use of pain medications and alcohol; withdrawal from activities & lack of self care.
Clinical Depression is a serious medical illness; it’s not something that you have made up in your head. It’s more than just feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. Its feeling "down" and "low" and "hopeless" for weeks at a time. An experience of isolation, which may be either physical and/or emotional, can result in depression disorder. In addition, symptoms of clinical depression, (depression lasting over 6 months) can be triggered by other chronic illnesses common in later life, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, cancer and arthritis, or by death of a partner (loss or bereavement often results in depression lasting as much as a year), adult child, family or friends.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
For warnings and other important information useful in understanding seniors issues, click on the links from respected health authorities below:
- Dangers of self medicating with alcohol, over the counter drugs, or prescribed medications
- Hoarding and skillful ways to deal with it
- Dementia is a cluster of diseases reducing mental function
- Depression - Older Adults and Depression - NIMH
You and your family deserve for life to be happier, less stressful and more fulfilling. With three decades of experience in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Counseling and Psychotherapy practice, I can likely assist you and your family in reaching your reasonable goals.
A free one-half hour initial appointment is available which allows each of us to determine if we have have the potential for good rapport and can begin to resolve problems leading to more successful aging for your and your family's benefit. To inquire further contact my office at 707-237-8900 and/or send an e-mail .
I don’t treat aging and senior problems as mental illness.
