Trauma and Older Adults: Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD, and Unique Considerations

January 15, 2025

As I write this the wildfires in Los Angeles have displaced more than 100,000 people, and destroyed homes and communities. I've heard heartbreaking stories of older adults and people with…

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January 15, 2025

The Center for Mental Health & Aging is the “go-to” place for online continuing education focused on the mental health care of older adults and caregivers. We provide continuing education to psychologists, therapists, health providers, certified care managers, senior care professionals, and more. Start a course now!

Disclaimer: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp or The Center for Mental Health & Aging (CMHA), or any of it's collaborators may make in courses, blog, comments, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp, CMHA, or CMHA collaborators and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's, CMHA's, or CMHA collaborators' website, group, or course information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.

Gain clarity about the mental health or memory changes in your older loved one with this free guide?

Noticing memory or mental health changes in your older loved one?

The next steps are as simple as 1-2-3…

Share your concerns with your loved one directly and compassionately.
Help your loved one see their primary care provider. Sometimes mental health and memory changes are due to medical issues or medications that need to be assessed and managed by medical providers.
Help your loved one see a mental health professional. Don’t wait for medical issues to be resolved. People with medical conditions are more likely to experience mental health conditions and benefit from mental health care. Connect with a professional today.

Our provider directory can help you find a mental health professional who specializes in older adults.

Find a Professional

A Gero-Psychiatrist

Geriatric psychiatrists (also called Gero-Psychiatrists) are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues that occur more commonly in older adults, such as dementia, depression, insomnia. They prescribe medications, but may or may not provide therapy.

Find a Psychiatrist Near You

A Neuropsychologist

A neuropsychologist is specialized in diagnosing brain disorders, like dementia (specifically what type of dementia a person has). They also help to identify if the changes in your loved one are mental health changes (like depression and anxiety) or brain health changes like a dementia disorder.

Find a Neuropsychologist Near You

A Therapist who specializes with older adults

“Therapist” is a broad term to identify licensed professionals trained to provide talk-therapy to treat or manage mental health conditions. They include psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists. Our therapists specialize in older adults.

Find a Therapist Near You