BOONE, Iowa—Aging brings many joys – more time with family and freedom in retirement – but our older years can also bring difficult life transitions, including the loss of loved ones and stress from age-related health concerns.

Boone County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions is an outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, typically 65 and older, experiencing depression or anxiety related to life changes often associated with aging.

Feeling down every once in a while is a normal part of life, but if these feelings last a few weeks or months, you may be dealing with something more serious.

If you or someone you know has experienced any of the following, this program might be right for you.

• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feelings of sadness or grief lasting more than two weeks
• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• Lost a spouse or close family member
• Loss of energy
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Recently experienced a traumatic event

Services offered include a confidential, comprehensive assessment, group, and individual therapy, family therapy, medication education and management, and after-care planning, where we continue to engage and support our participants. Even though this is a group setting, each person is addressed individually based on their unique needs.

The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed therapists, a registered nurse, and other professionals dedicated to the mental health care of the older adults in our community.

Anyone can make a referral to the program. This includes self, family members, physicians, or other healthcare professionals. 

For more information about Senior Life Solutions or to schedule an appointment, call (515) 433-8713.  The staff will begin seeing patients on March 20th.  The program is located on the west side of Boone County Hospital, second floor. 

(contributed press release, BCH)