By Christine Sullivan
Special to The Herald
The key to aging well in today’s world may seem obvious: healthy diet, exercise, eight hours of sleep. All these important pieces to the aging puzzle have been researched, discussed and observed, helping people live healthy, successful lives down the road.
Maintaining good mental health in aging adults is critical, but not always obvious. Even more specifically, does talking about it really help? The subject of mental health and how to properly address the issue, especially in older adults, is sometimes controversial.
Homage Senior Services offers a wide range of health and wellness programs to clients. One of them focuses on the importance of mental health and its impact on healthy aging. The Older Adult Access Program is unique. Its purpose is to educate and assist older adults struggling with adjustments, including depression, anxiety and grief.
Emotional wellness is critical to maintaining physical health but is often overlooked. Christine Vervitsiotis, mental health program supervisor at Homage Senior Services, and Nancy Brosemer, mental health specialist, are doing their best to fill the blurry gap — one phone call at a time.
“I think the nice part about the program is that Nancy (Brosemer) is really able to engage in a conversation with people about what mental health services might be best,” Vervitsiotis said. “I know a lot of times, clients call around and are told, ‘Oh you’re not eligible for this program,’ and that’s a burden to place on a person. Nancy is able to listen and assist callers with their unique needs.
“We are able to really meet people where they are and give more gentle assistance, rather than just saying, ‘oh, sorry — you’re not eligible,’ which is really nice,” Vervitsiotis said.
The Older Adult Access Program (OAA) is for Snohomish County adults 60 and older, and is primarily a phone-based program aiding seniors who suffer from depression, loss of loved ones, transitions or chemical dependency.
OAA gives seniors a well-grounded emotional support system. Or simply, just someone to talk to — making all the difference.
Brosemer’s work days are spent fielding calls from seniors in need. People struggling with depression and chemical dependence have a wide range of needs, and Brosemer, who holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology, helps clients determine what level of care is most appropriate.
“It seems like we are always busy — there’s quite a high need for what we do. It’s very fulfilling,” she said. “I have people tell me their stories and they say, ‘I haven’t even told my family this,’ you know. I love listening to people’s stories. It’s amazing what you find out. You learn so much. And to have so many clients say, ‘I just needed someone to listen,’ and that’s what is really important. Part of aging is mental health. People go through medical conditions and it really affects them. Mental health can affect them the same way.”
Brosemer establishes herself as a a supportive presence for clients. She’s always following up, checking in and making certain her clients have been connected to the correct care and resources provided.
“We get calls or referrals from outside agencies and it’s good to have people recognize that we are here to help and it’s great to get that information out there,” she said. “They go through transitions that are not easy and we are here to help them through that.”
Homage facilitates several support groups, held in various locations throughout the county. Homage also offers internal mental health programs, like Depression Screening and Senior Peer Counseling.
“Within our society, older adults often get pushed into the background. These are the individuals who need an advocate,” Brosemer said. “Someone to say, ‘Yes you do matter and yes we (Homage) can help you.’ My work here at Homage is such that I try to make a difference in someone’s life. Asking for help can be very difficult for some. I want everyone who calls into our agency asking for help to know they are heard, they do matter and we do care. When someone says to me, ‘I’m just so glad you took the time to listen to me. I just really needed to talk to someone,’ it fills my heart and lets me know that the work I am doing here at Homage is indeed making a difference in the lives of others.”
The Homage OAA program can be reached at 425-290-1260.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis call the 24 hour Care Crisis Line: 1-800-584-3578.
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