By Jackie Dover
At a recent meeting there was a discussion about total health and the importance of each aspect including physical, mental and social. Physical health is probably the easiest to take care of and most of us do this regularly; eating healthy, regular exercise, going to the doctor when needed and taking medication. The social aspect is also done routinely, visiting with family and friends, going to church or other activities that get us involved with our community. The hardest and sometimes most overlooked is the mental health aspect.
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of the physical part, especially for older adults. As we age, life changes can impact our mental health, including physical ailments, loss of loved ones, retirement/loss of employment with potential financial issues and possible loss of independence. Untreated mental health disorders in older adults can lead to diminished functioning, substance abuse, poor quality of life.
Luckily, Medicare covers mental health services. Medicare Part A covers mental health services you receive while inpatient in a hospital. Medicare will pay for room, meals, nursing services, therapy and lab tests while in-patient. There is a Medicare Part A deductible which is $1,676, most supplements cover that deductible. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your costs would be different.
Medicare Part B covers outpatient services, including visits to a psychiatrist, psychologist and nurse practitioner. Part B also covers a free depression screening once per year if you have not been previously diagnosed with depression. The Medicare Part B deductible is $257 this year and you or another insurance would have the 20% coinsurance.
Medicare Part D plans cover antidepressant, antianxiety, and antipsychotic medications, which may be necessary to keep you mentally healthy. Each drug plan has a formulary of drugs they cover; it is a good idea to check that your medicine is covered by a plan before joining. We also recommend that you check every year during Open Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, to ensure the plan you are on will continue to be the best plan for you.
Some signs to watch for if you are concerned about your or someone else’s mental health:
- Change in personal appearance or cleanliness of the home
- Withdrawal from social situations or friends and family
- Mood changes, sadness or depression
- Loss of weight or change in appetite
- Feelings of helplessness or irritability
All parts of our health are important and should be taken care of to help us be the best we can be. If you or someone you know needs immediate help call 988 the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If it is not an immediate threat talk with your doctor about what you are feeling and they can help you decide what treatments would be most beneficial for you. Remember, you are not alone, many people struggle and need help, all you have to do is ask.
If you have aging questions, please call Aging Matters 1-800-392-8771, because Aging Matters.