The Golden Years often…aren’t! Think about it.
“We’re always looking forward to being older. Little kids want to be big kids, older kids want to be teenagers, teens want to be adults, adults look forward to retirement. But no one prepares us for what it might be like when we get there!”
–Julie Weckel, LMSW, ACSW
And that’s exactly what Julie Weckel and her team at Geriatric Connections do every day: help older adults cope with their World, how it’s changed and how they can navigate through it to a better life of ‘being older and comfortable with that.’
Geriatric Connections is a private, professional counseling agency focused on working one on one with older adults in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. GC also serves adults of any age who have a disability making it difficult to leave their home.
What sets Geriatric Connections apart from other counseling agencies? Primarily this: Its counseling professionals come into the home, where individuals are most comfortable sharing their fears or concerns—rather than in an impersonal clinic or office complex with a waiting room full of people.
Counseling, senior couple and psychology consultation with therapist for advice, help or support. B.
Counselor Julie Weckel says getting older in America has changed a lot in a couple of generations. Twenty years ago, she began counseling the World War II generation, then Korean War veterans and now is focused on the Vietnam generation, the Baby Boomers. Weckel says, “Americans identify and value themselves by their occupations. Then we retire, look in the mirror and many say, who’s that?’, ‘I don’t know who I am anymore…’ Our society doesn’t prepare us for old age!”
Weckel says people should consider seeking counseling when they feel that their life has changed and they are struggling with the changes and transition they are facing. They can easily slip into depression—which can sometimes be subtle and not obvious. A person may feel their World is shrinking and they are isolated.
“People withdraw. They stay home, they don’t go out. They begin to decline. Everything becomes about doctor’s appointments. Many end up depressed. They just feel overwhelmed.”
In today’s society, where family and old friends may not be close by, older adults may feel they have no one to talk to. And that’s precisely where Geriatric Connections comes in. A trained professional counselor can come into their home and help them sort out their concerns and craft a plan to deal with them.
In some instances, perhaps 20%, Weckel explains that her counselors find themselves helping caregivers: relatives or friends of older adults with major physical or emotional issues who are overwhelmed by their patient’s situation and the demands it places on them, the caregiver. Logically they understand the facts and challenges, but they feel they are being consumed by the situation, causing them negative feelings of guilt or anger.
Again, these people are not likely to go to an office somewhere to talk to a counselor. That might cause them to feel even more guilty. However, a confidential conversation with a Geriatric Connections counselor in the privacy of their home may help them put their situation in perspective and work toward the life balance they are seeking.
Whatever the situation, Weckel says the goal is to help the individual understand and cope. “We know we can’t make someone happy, because their life has changed,” she says. “But we can help them feel less miserable and more in control. And we can help them focus forward, rather than backward on a former reality they cannot bring back.”
Weckel emphasizes that GC counselors are not there to judge anyone. They are there to listen and talk through a situation, hopefully helping to lift the burden felt by the individual. “The client is in charge,” she says. They decide whether to continue the counseling relationship. The counselor may suggest a plan, but the decision remains with the client. An average or normal counseling plan might include six to eight in-home sessions.
The counseling team at Geriatric Connections includes four Licensed Clinical Social Workers. They routinely deal with many mental and emotional challenges faced by older adults:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Adjustment to life changes
- Grief and loss
- Anger
- Chronic medical problems
- Stress management
- Bipolar disorder
- Sexuality
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Health problem
- Dementia
Counseling programs at Geriatric Connections are usually covered by Medicare Part B, most private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid.
Co-pays, deductibles, etc. vary by insurance involved.
More information at www.GeriatricConnections.com
Or Call 269-313-4002 to explore how GC counselors can help in your situation.
By Gayle Olson, Moody on the Market Contributor
