Vitality for Life Program

Helping Older Adults Live Fuller Lives

Aging is not only hard on the bodies, it can be difficult emotionally, too. If you’re an older adult who feels it is hard to get out of bed in the morning or like your life has lost its purpose, help is available. Carson Valley Medical Center’s highly skilled and compassionate healthcare providers for older adults offers intensive outpatient mental health wellness program that can transform the lives of older adults.

You may benefit from Vitality for Life if you are an adult 65 and older who has one or more of the following conditions:

• Low energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in former hobbies or fun activities
• Grief from a tragic life event
• Chronic pain
• Sleeping excessively
• Thoughts of suicide
• Or any distressing mental health symptoms

Our Vitality for Life Program was launched in 2010 to care for the older adults in our community. During this time, our intensive outpatient mental health wellness program has transformed and even saved the lives of older adults experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions that make daily life less fulfilling.

Read more about Vitality for Lifein an article by the Northern Nevada Business Weekly.

The Fact About Older Adults & Depression

More than 2 million of the 34 million US adults over the age of 65 suffer from some form of depression, making it a significant public health problem. Unfortunately, many older adults are under the mistaken impression that depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns are just a normal part of getting older. Also, many of their symptoms can be overlooked and underdiagnosed when they coincide with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.

To make their emotions more difficult to cope with, older adults often face life events that commonly occur as people age. For instance, many older adults experience traumatic life events such as the loss of a loved one or must find new purpose after retirement. Others experience a loss of their former independence. Combined, older adults who have chronic physical health problems and face distressing life events are at greater risk of depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse.

Undiagnosed, untreated depression can cause serious consequences and worsen physical health problems. Depression is not just a gloomy attitude. Profound bouts of sadness, isolation, and a loss of pleasure in formerly pleasurable activities are not to be taken likely.

We Care for You: Mental Health Services Older Adults in Carson Valley

If you or a loved one is suffering emotionally, confidential help is available through our treatment team at Carson Valley Medical Center. Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. D. Vuppalapati, our Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and skilled nursing staff, develop individualized treatment plans for each patient to address their medical, medication, and psychological needs. Patients in the Vitality for Life program benefit from group therapy, individual therapy, and family and couples counseling. Patients who enter the program are given a safe, secure, and supportive place to explore the challenges they face every day, and practice new coping skills to lead fuller, more meaningful lives.

Are you an adult aged 65 or older experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety? Help is available. Call 775.782.1599 for more information about the services we offer and how we can be of assistance to you during your troubling time.