Interplay of genetics and loneliness
Interplay of genetics and loneliness
We need people like YOU to help us on three levels to bring awareness about the geriatric population and the impacts that social isolation can have on this community. We do not have to leave them alone in this. Let us make a change within us and accompany them on their journey!
WHAT CAN WE DO?
1.
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We need to invite and encourage more students to become mental health providers and/or specialize in providing health care to the 65 and older population. In general, providing general mental health providers is a problem and to make matters worse, gerontology is not very popular within our nation. Some studies reveal that the salary of geriatric physicians is not the best and it also requires special empathetic individuals to come into this practice. Some practicing geropsycholigists shared that insurance companies like Medicaid have been decreasing the provider rates. This then increases the gap for accessibility.
We have an urgent need to increase the accessibility to mental health providers!
Studies reveal that the United States has a deficit in mental health providers and some locations more than others. For example, the rural communities lack access to mental health providers more often than those living in urban areas.
Facts and Statistics
Psychologists within the United States
Although California has the highest rate of clinical employed psychologists, the numbers are not dispersed equally in the state. They tend to be more localized in more urban cities like the Bay area. In fact, San Francisco has 76.6 psychologists per 100,000 people where other region in California have 0 per 100,000 people.
Psychologists within California
Actions that can make a Difference
1. Advocate for legal justice against ageism:
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Munuera Gómez and M. Elena Blanco Larrieux wrote “Legal Protection of the Rights of Older Persons against Ageism.” They reveal that there needs to be one law that protects the vulnerable, especially the aging population that lacks social protection. This is urgent to act against the stigma and stress factors that society builds onto the elderly community. Find out more and learn how to advocate for this law.
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2. Increase mental health data:
AB 470 is a bipartisan bill passed in California to require Medicaid to provide better data on their recipients especially around mental health and minority groups. It was implemented in 2017. This will allow more and accessible data regarding mental health and we can provide more effective and efficient laws that will help minorities and the elderly.
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3. Increase mental health services offered by Medicare:
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H.R.495 is a bipartisan bill passed in 2019 that add to the Part B Medicare health plan so that mental health counselors and family/marriage therapists can provide care to Medicare beneficiaries.
Act now locally, in your state or nationally...
&
stay informed.
Sources:
1.Gómez, M. Pilar Munuera, and M. Elena Blanco Larrieux. “Legal Protection of the Rights of Older Persons against Ageism.” The Age of Human Rights Journal, no. 10 (June 18, 2018): 42–63. https://doi.org/10.17561/tahrj.n10.3.
2. “How Many Psychologists Are Licensed in the United States?” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, June 2014, www.apa.org/monitor/2014/06/datapoint.
3.“Mapping the Gaps: Mental Health in California.” California Health Care Foundation, 22 May 2019, www.chcf.org/publication/mapping-gaps-mental-health-california/.
4.Merz, C. C., Koh, D., Sakai, E. Y., Molinari, V., Karel, M. J., Moye, J., & Carpenter, B. D. (2017). The big shortage: Geropsychologists discuss facilitators and barriers to working in the field of aging. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 3(4), 388–399. doi: 10.1037/tps0000137
5. New Study Reveals Lack of Access as Root Cause for Mental Health Crisis in America. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2020, from https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/press-releases/new-study-reveals-lack-of-access-as-root-cause-for-mental-health-crisis-in-america/
6.Thompson, & Mike. (2019, January 31). Text - H.R.945 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2020, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/945/text
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