Online Psychotherapy for Seniors

Telemedicine is making it easier for seniors with mental-health conditions to access a doctor, reports the Wall Street Journal . Amid a rapidly aging population and a national shortage of psychiatrists — especially geriatric specialists — more doctors and healthcare organizations are offering audio and video appointments for mental-health problems. At the same time, more senior-care communities and home caregivers are showing a willingness to test them out. This is proving to be a particularly good option for older men and women living in rural areas where there are fewer psychiatrists. Of course, providing online therapy for seniors has its own set of challenges. Chiefly, it takes both technical knowledge and time to set up the equipment and connection for a virtual therapy session. In addition, apps, software, computers, and tablets are not always designed with the senior population in mind. Age-specific problems related to hearing loss, poor vision, and diminished motor skills often need to be addressed.