Ananda Institute has initiated a new program to address the mental health issues of the elder population in Sonoma County. The driving concept behind mental health wellness for elders is the premise that the whole person must become the focus of treatment, not just the physical body. Physical illness affects the way we feel and think about our bodies and our lives, and addressing only one part of the system ignores the impact of the whole person.

When a person suffers from a medical condition, their quality of life is compromised, and mental disorders may manifest and make healing a more complex process. Feelings of depression and anxiety may result, and a person often isolates instead of seeking help for these treatable disorders. The elder is often more vulnerable because family may not be available for support, and lack of transportation makes outreach into the community more difficult.

At the Ananda Institute, our professionals are trained to bring clinical skills and insight to the issues of elder mental health wellness. We bring understanding, compassion and support to help the elder address often overwhelming problems that come with age and illness that may seem insurmountable. We also facilitate communication between the medical community and our clients to clarify the often confusing world of medications and physical illnesses.

If you or a loved one are experiencing:

• depression
• anxiety
• post-traumatic stress
• sexuality problems
• domestic violence
• alcohol/substance abuse
• isolation
• interpersonal and family issues

...help is available at our institute. The director of this program, Alice Walter-Kaplan, M.A., MFT, can be reached through our contact page. Please note that we honor Medicare, private insurance and offer fees on a sliding scale.