Psychotherapy in Nursing Homes
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental illness does not discriminate in that anyone can experience its challenges regardless of race, color, gender, identity or background. However, these factors can make access to mental health treatment more difficult for some individuals. In addition, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has made it even harder for racial and ethnic minority groups to have access to treatment. Therefore, this month is about raising awareness of the mental health struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face in the United States.
Here are some ways you can observe and support these communities during this month:
- Learn - Take time to learn about different cultures and how they are affected by mental health challenges.
- Respect - When talking or listening to someone of a different culture, show acceptance and respect for the person’s feelings, culture, personal values, and experiences, even if they are different from your own or you disagree with them.
- Ask - It is okay to ask questions if you do not understand something. Rather than making assumptions, respectfully ask questions that show you care and truly want to understand.
- Focus - When communicating with someone that may be struggling with a mental health challenge, focus on their well-being and their recovery. Encourage them to proceed on their own journey to recovery within their cultural practices.
Overall, take this month to increase your awareness and recognize ways that you can help improve access to mental health treatment for minority populations. Show support for those around you such as family, friends, neighbors or even strangers as they may be experiencing mental health struggles this Minority Mental Health Month.
Combating Isolation & Loneliness
Psychotherapy in nursing homes often focuses on feelings of being disconnected from family or the world beyond the walls of a skilled nursing facility. Well-trained psychologists are adept at creating a safe space in which people can process these emotions and develop coping mechanisms to foster a sense of connection and belonging.
Adjusting to a New Environment
Moving to a nursing home is a significant life change. Mental and emotional muscles will likely be taxed in ways they haven’t been before. Psychotherapy can be a useful forum to take stock of one’s inner life. From there, therapists can help residents adapt to their new environment, explore new relationships, and work toward a positive understanding of their new life situation.
Maintaining Cognitive Function
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy modality that often finds success. CBT is about examining thought patterns, identifying unhelpful ones, and working to re-route our responses to the world. CBT can stimulate mental engagement, potentially slowing cognitive decline and helping residents maintain a sense of autonomy.
Managing Stress Due to Illness
Many residents of SKF/nursing homes live with chronic illness of one kind or another. Such chronic conditions can leave people feeling overwhelmed by irritation and pain, uncertainty and dependency. Psychotherapy provides tools to re-frame one’s reaction to the realities of long-term illness, resulting in less stress and an overall improvement in quality of life.
Fostering Relationships & Communication
Family dynamics can shift dramatically when a loved one enters a nursing home. Psychotherapy can facilitate better communication, helping residents and their families navigate these changes with empathy and understanding.
Our psychologists aim to be neutral sounding boards for the concerns and feelings of both nursing home residents and family members. By encouraging everyone to share their perspective, psychologists make all parties feel heard and then begin the process of bringing challenges and opportunities to light to help foster more positive relationship and communication dynamics.
Pacific Coast Psychology Provides Psychotherapy in Nursing Homes
Psychotherapy can be a game-changer for residents in nursing homes. Life in a nursing home comes with a mix of adjustments—some welcome, others less so. Psychotherapy provides a space to navigate these changes with compassion and care.
At Pacific Coast Psychology, we have partnered with dozens of skilled nursing facilities across California, offering effective mental health solutions that address the complex needs of both residents and staff.
Interested in learning more? Reach out for a consultation today, and let us help your facility thrive.