Enable your loved one to improve their quality of life through counselling.
As of June 2021, the proportion of citizens aged 65 and above in Singapore is 17.6%*, a 0.8% increase from June 2020.
In a youth-obsessed society, it may be stressful for the elderly to thrive and live life to the fullest.
Caregivers may want to consider encouraging their loved ones to go for counselling if they:
- Worry about a certain issue for more than 1 hour every day
- Feel nervous, overwhelmed or indifferent about things or activities they used to enjoy
- Feel embarrassed about something
- Have incorporated undesirable and unhealthy habits to cope with life changes
If you are a caregiver, learn how a professional psychotherapist can help your loved one achieve a better quality of life.
*Statistics retrieved from Population in Brief 2021.
Why Older Adults or Elderly May Need Counselling
• Loss of Self-Esteem
As one ages, self-esteem becomes a common concern in psychotherapy. Those aged over 65 start to experience biopsychosocial changes, and may feel like they are too old for certain activities.
This mentality coupled with society’s stereotypes (i.e. ageism) can cause individuals to lose self-confidence as they age.
How counselling can help:
A psychotherapist will seek to understand the individual’s concerns regarding ageing and how the individual has been coping to maintain their self-esteem.
From there, the therapist will validate their competency and restore feelings of self-esteem and self-concept.
• Transitioning To Retirement
Individuals react differently to retirement — some may see it as a long-awaited opportunity for relaxation, while others may feel anxious about having so much free time.
How counselling may help:
The latter may benefit from speaking to a psychotherapist to reflect on their career and consider possible next steps. This will help to gather your thoughts and provide a better direction of focus during retirement.
• Dealing With Health Issues
Many health issues are associated with old age which may change your daily routines. Even with good health, it’s natural for your vision, hearing, memory and physical strength to deteriorate.
How counselling may help:
Consulting a psychotherapist will allow you to face, adapt to and accept these changes as part of your daily routine. If you are a caregiver, consider going for family counselling to learn how to get support for you and your loved one.
• Dealing With Grief
Over the years, one will experience the loss of their spouse, relatives and friends while fearing future losses. This can be mentally draining and individuals may develop survivor’s guilt.
How counselling may help:
A psychotherapist will work through your feelings and aid you in coping with witnessing the suffering and deaths of loved ones.
Benefits Of Attending Counselling For Elderly
- Learn how to ask for and accept help
- Restore sense of purpose and self-concept
- Build self-confidence
- Better cope with a health condition and/or issue
- Better express and talk through feelings
- Manage anxiety and depression
- Improve relationships with family
- Managing stressful life situations
- Coping with grief or loss
- Managing and preventing relapse of mental illness symptoms
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Alcohol and drug use problems
- Marital or family problems
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Any mental illness
Our Counsellor For Elderly: Kathleen Chong
M.A. in Counselling and Guidance, Singapore
Focus age group: Adults
Languages spoken: English, Malay
Kathleen specialises in working with individuals struggling with grief, anxiety, low self-esteem and life transitions. She uses CBT and CTRT primarily in her work, and tailors these modalities towards the issues that older adults are experiencing.
Approaches Used During Elderly Counselling at Sofia Wellness Clinic
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an approach used in therapy that focuses on identifying one’s negative thought and behaviour patterns and changing them.
During CBT, the therapist seeks to help clients
- understand the power of your thoughts,
- point out triggers that lead to these negative thoughts, and
- learn how to change your thoughts.
This approach is typically effective for elderly with stress, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
2. Choice Theory / Reality Therapy (CTRT)
Choice theory states that humans make choices based on 5 basic needs (in no particular order): love and belonging, survival, power, freedom and fun.
Reality therapy, which views behaviours as choices, is based on choice theory. It states that individuals adopt certain behaviours with the objective of fulfilling their basic needs.
Using CTRT, your therapist will help you
- facilitate your understanding towards your needs and
- be better able to make choices that meet your tailored needs.
Why Choose Sofia Wellness Clinic For Elderly Counselling?
Professional Credentials
Our counsellors have Masters degrees related to counselling and guidance and a combined experience of 9 years.
Additionally, our counsellor for elderly, Kathleen, is trained by the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition to help clients cope with grief.
Safe Space For Sharing
At Sofia Wellness Clinic, we strive to uphold inclusivity and confidentiality to promote a safe space for anyone to share their thoughts and problems.
Our team is dedicated to working through your issues with joint effort to help you achieve a better quality of life.
Our Counselling Fees For Elderly
| Consultation | Duration | Senior Counsellor | Counsellor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual session (Initial) | 75min | $250 | $220 |
| Individual session (subsequent) | 50min | $200 | $170 |
| 6 session package | 50min x 6 sessions | $1080 | $920 |
We encourage our clients to attend sessions once or twice a week as counselling is a long-term process that takes time to be effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common mental illness in the elderly?
According to Mount Alvernia Hospital, depression is the most common mental condition in the elderly, accounting for 3% – 6% of the aged population in Singapore.
A study done by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that approximately 20% of those aged 55 and older in the US experience some kind of mental health concern. The most common ones being depression and anxiety.
How can the elderly improve their mental health?
It is crucial for the elderly to establish a daily routine with good habits! If you are a caregiver of an elderly, do encourage them to:
- Exercise their mind e.g., read, do puzzles, learn a language
- Do low-impact exercises 30 minutes a day e.g., stretching, swimming
- Socialise with friends
- Pick up a hobby e.g., painting, knitting, gardening
- Volunteering
Establishing a new routine after retirement is key to maintaining a fulfilling life.
