LIVE at HOME. Your Goal. Our Priority!

888-895-PACE (7223)*

*not for medical emergencies or to discuss participant details

LIVE at HOME. Your Goal. Our Priority!

888-895-PACE (7223)*

*not for medical emergencies or to discuss participant details

Mental Health Awareness Month

McGregor PACE Recognizes the Mental Health Challenges of Our Seniors

Helping Older Adults Improve Their Mental Health

During the month of May, we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. Many organizations across the country—including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America—are sharing important resources about mental health and steps you can take if you or a loved one is suffering. 

Mental health is important at every single stage of life, including as we age. Many of us look forward to the freedom and opportunities that exist in retirement. However, our mental health can affect our decision-making, our ability to handle stress, and our ability to make choices—something that is particularly critical at a time when we are making big decisions about how we want to age and what we want our lives to look like in the future.  

As cited by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a 2012 study from the Institute of Medicine found that approximately one in five older adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness, substance use disorder, or both. They also note that if that ratio exists in 2030, mental illness will reach approximately 15 million older adults.

How Can Older Adults Improve Their Mental Health?

McGregor PACE is committed to serving the needs of Cuyahoga County’s older adults—this includes not only our participants’ physical and medical needs but their mental health needs as well. We offer a range of activities designed to promote social interaction and cognitive stimulation among older adults, but there are also steps that seniors can take on their own to improve their mental health on a daily basis. 

  • Play mind games. Whether you hop on the Wordle trend or do a Sudoku puzzle, keep your brain engaged and active with a challenging mind game.
  • Strike up a conversation. Staying connected to friends and neighbors is great mental stimulation. Give a friend or family member a call, or talk to someone new during your next visit to a PACE center.
  • Pick up a new hobby. Challenge yourself to learn a new skill. Maybe you will try your hand at watercolor painting, take a light aerobics class, or get involved with a community garden.
  • Ask for help. If you are struggling, know that you don’t need to go through it alone and many resources exist to help you. Talk to a family member or friend, or reach out to your primary care provider.

McGregor’s Partnership With ViaQuest

Providing Psychiatric & Behavioral Solutions

During COVID-19, we saw a rise in mental health symptoms among older adults across our state. We have partnered with ViaQuest Psychiatric & Behavioral Solutions to provide Psychiatric Medication Management & Therapeutic Behavioral Support (TBS) services to McGregor residents or PACE participants with a need. Our goal is to provide individualized care and attention through services like symptom management, coping skills, stress management, crisis intervention, and prevention, ultimately improving their quality of life. 

To learn more about McGregor’s partnership with ViaQuest, the PACE program, or how we prioritize our participants’ mental health through our services, please reach out to our team.

Contact McGregor PACE

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