Q&A: How Senior Life Solutions is filling the mental health gap for seniors in rural Iowa

BRANDED CONTENT, REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES OF HOWARD COUNTY - In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, learn how Senior Life Solutions at Regional Health Services of Howard County is providing specialized care for seniors in rural Cresco, Iowa. Mental Health Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that emotional support and well-being matter at every stage of life. Yet for many older adults, especially those living in rural communities, accessing mental health support and resources remains a significant challenge. Recognizing a growing need for behavioral health services tailored specifically towards older adults, Regional Health Services of Howard County works to change that through its Senior Life Solutions. The hospital-based program that began in 2016 is designed to improve emotional health, quality of life and access to resources for seniors through personalized care and an understanding of the unique challenges that come with aging. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we sat down with Mackenzie Adams, the coordinator of the Senior Life Solutions program, to discuss the community's needs driving program, barriers older adults may face while seeking help and future plans for the community resource. Regional Health Services of Howard County's Senior Life Solutions program was created in 2016 to prioritize the emotional health and quality of life for seniors. Q&A with Seniors Life Solutions' Mackenzie Adams What community needs or trends prompted Regional Health Services to bring the Senior Life Solutions program to Cresco, and how have you seen those needs change over time? Regional Health Services of Howard County recognized a growing lack of behavioral health care services, particularly for residents over the age of 65. Similar to other rural communities, Cresco has an aging population where many older adults in the area face challenges like chronic illness and fatigue, loss of independence and other major life transitions, which often go unaddressed due to limited local resources. "Even with implementation of the Senior Life Solutions program in Cresco, rural communities continue to experience limited access in care and this hospital-based program has been able to provide a needed service to a specific population," said Adams. For people who may not be familiar with it, how would you describe the core mission of Senior Life Solutions, and what types of support does the program provide to older adults in our area? At its heart, Senior Life Solutions is dedicated to improving the emotional health and quality of life for seniors through compassionate and specialized care. The program is heavily based on what it calls the "3 Cs of program management", which includes care, compliance and community. "The program specifically provides group, individual and family therapy," Adams said. "Services also include medication education and management and after-care planning." What barriers do older adults commonly face when seeking help for mental or emotional health, and how is your team working to remove those barriers in a rural setting? Senior Life Solutions recognizes that the hesitation to seek out mental health and emotional support isn't just limited to older adults. Many people worry about being perceived as weak, flawed or a burden to those around them. Discussing these feelings can feel uncomfortable or even painful. To help break down these barriers, the program focuses heavily on education and destigmatization. "By providing educational in-services and information to community members and providers, we are able to better educate individuals on the specific challenges of aging and to help decrease the stigma around seeking mental health assistance," Adams said. The Senior Life Solutions program is based heavily on what's called the "3 Cs of program management," which includes care, compliance and community. Regional Health Services of Howard County's Senior Life Solutions is located at 235 8th Ave. W in Cresco. Looking ahead, what goals or upcoming initiatives are you most excited about for the program, and how do you see Senior Life Solutions continuing to evolve to meet community needs? The team is particularly excited about continuing to expand access to Senior Life Solutions and to deepen the program's impact within the community. A primary priority is to increase both awareness and referrals, as well as to ensure that older adults and their families recognize that mental health support and resources are not only available but also accessible and effective. To do this, Senior Life Solutions plans to strengthen partnerships with local providers and community organizations to better assist those who may benefit from the program. "We will continue to evolve by remaining a patient-centered, community-focused program with goals to meet community needs, including reducing stigma and normalizing conversations around mental health in older adults," Adams said. "Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that seniors in all communities feel seen and know they are not alone in their struggles." What are clients saying about the Senior Life Solutions program? "I wish every senior had the opportunity to partake in SLS. I felt lost and very hurt by the situation I was in when I started SLS. As I learned, from each lesson, a little more how to help myself cope with my life, I began to gain my self-confidence back," said one client testimonial. "I still learn from each lesson, even if my problem has not improved, my outlook on life has changed for the better. I applaud this program and directors and therapists and glad I am part of it." "The staff was very respectful, friendly, and thoughtful. I learned a great deal," said another client testimonial. "I take breaks instead of working for hours at a time and stressing myself out. I exercise, listen to music, do deep breathing, getting the sleep my body needs and feel good about what I've accomplished. I am very grateful I attended senior life solutions sessions. The staff is great!' Branded Content produced by Regional Health Services of Howard County.