Aging and Mental Health: A Team-Based Approach to Enhancing Quality of Life for Older Adults
Mental health is just as important as physical well-being for older adults—but too often overlooked. Depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders like dementia can erode the quality of life and make chronic conditions harder to manage.
The fact is the mental health of an older family member is central to healthy aging.
“Mental health challenges in aging are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated,” said Dr. Gary Kennedy, a geriatric psychiatrist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, in an interview with the APA.
Without proper intervention, they can accelerate physical decline and social isolation.
According to the CDC, about 20 percent of adults over 55 experience some form of mental health concern, yet fewer than half receive treatment. For those living with dementia, the emotional toll is compounded by confusion, frustration, and—too often—lack of meaningful engagement.
How Care Teams Support Mental Health
A growing number of long-term care facilities and home health agencies are expanding their care teams to include licensed mental health professionals and supervised interns. These additions bring specialized skills and compassionate care at a time when older adults are vulnerable and in need of connection.
Professionals included on elder mental health teams:
- Geriatric psychiatrists – Provide diagnosis, medication management, and care plans for mood and cognitive disorders.
- Psychologists and counselors – Offer therapy, support groups, and coping strategies for depression, grief, and anxiety.
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) – Address psychosocial needs, coordinate resources, and counsel both patients and families.
- Certified recreation or activity therapists – Use structured activities like art, music, and reminiscence therapy to improve mood and cognition.
- Interns and graduate students – Under supervision, they offer added support and attention while building experience in geriatric care.
Directors of memory care units often indicate that interns are a hidden gem in elder care bringing energy, empathy, and one-on-one time that residents often don’t get enough of.
Some students want to take their experience even further with global psychology internships, which can offer a deeper look at how mental healthcare is delivered across cultures. This experience can be helpful in multicultural societies and the increasing needs of aging adults.
Dementia and Depression: A Complex Intersection
While dementia is a neurological condition, it deeply affects emotional health. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, up to 40 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease also suffer from significant depression.
Unlike in younger adults, depression in seniors may not look like sadness. It might show up as irritability, confusion, withdrawal, or poor appetite. That’s why interdisciplinary care is critical—so that symptoms aren’t mistaken for aging or dementia alone.
Depression in seniors with dementia can be difficult to recognize, as symptoms often overlap with cognitive decline. However, there are key signs caregivers and clinicians can look for:
Common Symptoms of Depression in Seniors with Dementia
Emotional Signs:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Frequent tearfulness or emotional outbursts
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or helplessness
Physical and Behavioral Changes:
- Appetite changes – eating too little or too much
- Sleep disturbances – insomnia, early waking, or oversleeping
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Slower movements or speech
Cognitive and Social Indicators:
- Increased confusion or memory issues (beyond baseline dementia)
- Irritability or agitation
- Withdrawal from others – not wanting to socialize or engage
- Refusing care or resisting routines without a clear reason
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
When to Be Concerned
- If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it's important to consult a physician.
- Depression in someone with dementia may be underdiagnosed because they may not express sadness clearly.
- Instead, look for shifts in mood, energy, and engagement, especially if the changes are new or worsening.
Diagnosis & Treatment
- A geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist can help distinguish depression from dementia progression.
- Treatments may include:
- Therapy (like behavioral activation or supportive counseling)
- Medication (antidepressants, adjusted for age and health)
- Structured routines, social engagement, light exercise
Facilities that specialize in memory care often integrate behavioral health into daily routines. In-home care providers are also adapting, offering mental stimulation programs, dementia care training, and emotional support services for both clients and families.
How to Find Quality Care That Supports Mental Health
Whether you’re seeking in-home care or a long-term care facility, it’s important to look for services that prioritize mental and emotional well-being—not just physical health.
Start with the LTC News Caregiver Directory, a free tool that helps you find local care providers, including those with dementia care, behavioral health services, and interdisciplinary teams.
If you are a provider, you can claim your free listing on the LTC News Caregiver Directory and/or upgrade the listing to enhance visibility and highlight your staff and services through the LTC News Directory Business Portal.
Questions to ask when evaluating care providers:
- Do they have licensed mental health staff or partnerships with outside professionals?
- Are interns or trainees used to enhance care time and engagement?
- What dementia care certifications or behavioral training do staff receive?
- Are activities and therapies designed to support cognitive and emotional health?
- Will you process a Long-Term Care Insurance claim?
If a loved one has a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, use the benefits of the LTC policy to ensure access to quality care and protect your loved one's estate.
Use the LTC News Cost of Long-Term Care Services Calculator to compare monthly costs for memory care, in-home support, or other extended care services in your area. In 2025, national averages include:
- Memory care: $5,573 per month plus added surcharges
- In-home care (44-hour week): $5,524 per month based on a 44-hour week
- Nursing home (private room): $10,540 per month
LTC News partners with Amada Senior Care and provides free, no-obligation assistance in processing a claim for any Long-Term Care Insurance policy - File a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.
Paying for Mental Health-Focused Long-Term Care
Medicare and health insurance typically cover short-term psychiatric services—but not extended custodial care, even when mental health is a key concern. That’s where Long-Term Care Insurance becomes crucial.
With a tax-qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policy:
- You can choose care at home, in assisted living, or in a memory care facility.
- Policies pay tax-free benefits to help cover caregivers, therapists, and support services.
- Some policies even include care coordination to connect you with specialists trained in dementia and mental health.
If you already own a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, review your benefits to understand what mental health services are covered. If you don’t, the best time to plan is before retirement—when you’re more likely to qualify and the premiums are lower.
Be sure to get quotes from a qualified LTC Insurance specialist and share all your detailed health information so they can provide you with accurate LTC Insurance quotes and recommendations.
A Team Effort Makes a Difference
Aging well means more than staying physically healthy. It means maintaining emotional strength, connection, and dignity—even in the face of memory loss or declining independence.
The right caregiving team—whether at home or in a residential setting—can make all the difference. From social workers and psychiatrists to interns and activity coordinators, a well-rounded support system boosts not just care—but quality of life.
If you're helping a loved one navigate care decisions, don’t wait for a crisis. Start the conversation early. Ask about their wishes, emotional needs, and how they’d want to be supported. You can find help and peace of mind when the right team is in place.
Explore More Resources:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Older Adults: U.S. government resource offering mental health and substance use support specifically for aging populations. Features toolkits on depression, suicide prevention, and treatment services.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Older Adults & Mental Health: Non-profit advocacy and support organization focused on improving mental health access. Provides educational materials on late-life depression, anxiety, and caregiver burnout, plus peer support networks.
- National Institute on Aging (NIA): Offers comprehensive guides on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia care, and mental health in older adults.