As America’s population ages, senior telebehavioral health is becoming a vital part of addressing the mental health needs of older adults. Recognizing the distinctive challenges faced by seniors, tele-behavioral health company Talkiatry has introduced a new program specifically designed for individuals aged 65 and older. This initiative aims to provide tailored, compassionate, and accessible mental health care to a demographic that often goes overlooked.
The Growing Importance of Senior Telebehavioral Health
While mental health conversations frequently center on children and younger adults, experts emphasize that seniors are also facing a mental health crisis that deserves more attention. Georgia Gaveras, Chief Medical Officer and cofounder of Talkiatry, recently explained to Behavioral Health Business,
“When it comes to our population, we know there’s a mental health crisis with kids, but there’s also a mental health crisis in lots of different populations. I think that when it comes to the elderly, we don’t focus enough on their mental health issues.”
This lack of focus is concerning, especially as the number of Americans over age 65 is expected to skyrocket to 82 million by 2050 — representing nearly a quarter of the total U.S. population, according to data from the Population Reference Bureau. Many seniors grapple with complex challenges including retirement transitions, loss of loved ones, chronic health problems, and social isolation. These factors can contribute to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and other behavioral health issues.
What Makes Talkiatry’s Senior Telebehavioral Health Program Unique?
Talkiatry’s new senior telebehavioral health program builds on the company’s existing tele-mental health services, which have been available to patients as young as five years old. However, the senior program introduces specialized modifications that reflect the unique clinical and logistical needs of older adults:
- Extended Initial Appointments: The initial evaluation time has been lengthened from 60 minutes to 75 minutes. This extension allows clinicians to spend additional time establishing trust, understanding the patient’s history, and providing thorough onboarding. Building strong rapport early is especially important for seniors who may be less familiar or comfortable with telehealth platforms.
- Cognitive and Functional Assessments: Cognitive screening tools and functional assessments are embedded in the program to detect conditions such as mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. These assessments help clinicians tailor treatment plans that consider the patient’s cognitive status alongside their psychiatric needs.
- Expert Clinicians in Geriatric Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine: Talkiatry’s team includes specialists trained in geriatric psychiatry, focusing on mental health conditions prevalent among seniors, and psychosomatic medicine, which addresses the intersection of physical illness and psychiatric symptoms. This expertise is vital because many older adults live with comorbid medical and mental health conditions that require integrated care approaches.
- Dedicated Patient Care Coordinators: To mitigate technological barriers that seniors might face, Talkiatry employs patient care coordinators who assist with setting up telehealth technology, troubleshooting connection issues, and guiding patients through the digital appointment process.
Breaking Down Technological Barriers with Senior Telebehavioral Health
One of the biggest misconceptions about telehealth for older adults is that seniors struggle with or resist using technology. But Gaveras strongly challenges this stereotype:
“Brad Pitt turned 60 this year. He can use a cell phone. This generation is … not naive. … We have this misconception that people may be too old to use this, but I think that’s absurd.”
The reality is that many seniors today are tech-savvy or at least willing to learn digital tools, especially when it comes to health care. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth across all age groups, including older adults who found digital care to be a lifeline when in-person visits were limited.
By providing patient support services and intuitive platforms, Talkiatry ensures seniors can comfortably engage in video sessions, messaging, and other telehealth features without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. This approach is critical for successful senior telebehavioral health services.
Why Telebehavioral Health Is a Game-Changer for Seniors
Physical barriers often prevent seniors from accessing timely mental health care. Mobility issues, transportation challenges, and concerns about safety—especially in harsh weather or pandemic contexts—can make traveling to appointments difficult or risky. Gaveras offers a relatable example:
“I live in New York City, and even New York City, it’s hard when someone is in a wheelchair [to get to appointments], especially if you’re worried about them slipping and falling on the ice. Being able to do some [appointments] from the computer is a godsend.”
Senior telebehavioral health provides a safe, convenient alternative. Seniors can connect with licensed psychiatrists and therapists from home, eliminating the stress of travel, exposure to illness, or physical strain. This accessibility can lead to earlier intervention, better adherence to treatment, and improved overall outcomes.
The Growing Need for Senior Telebehavioral Health Services
The mental health needs of the senior population are often complex and multifaceted. Many individuals over 65 experience comorbid conditions—meaning they simultaneously manage chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis along with depression, anxiety, or cognitive disorders.
Addressing these intertwined issues requires clinicians with specialized training in geriatric and psychosomatic psychiatry, as Talkiatry provides. By combining medical and behavioral health expertise, providers can develop comprehensive care plans that improve quality of life.
Talkiatry’s Journey and Future Vision in Senior Telebehavioral Health
Founded in New York City in 2019, Talkiatry has quickly grown as a leading tele-behavioral health provider, connecting patients to board-certified psychiatrists and behavioral health clinicians through digital platforms. In 2022, the company raised $37 million in funding to expand its technology and reach more patients nationwide.
With its new senior telebehavioral health program, Talkiatry is not only responding to demographic trends but also positioning itself at the forefront of innovative, patient-centered mental health care. By addressing seniors’ unique challenges with tailored telehealth services, the company is helping to close the gap in care access and quality for this important population.
Conclusion
As the U.S. faces a rapidly aging population, mental health care tailored to seniors becomes increasingly urgent. Talkiatry’s new senior telebehavioral health program offers a hopeful and practical solution—combining longer appointments, cognitive assessments, expert clinicians, and technology support—to meet the complex needs of older adults.
By leveraging digital platforms, the program removes barriers such as mobility limitations and transportation difficulties, making quality mental health care more accessible and convenient than ever before. This initiative not only highlights the critical importance of senior telebehavioral health but also underscores how thoughtful innovation can transform lives.
If you or a loved one is over 65 and interested in exploring senior telebehavioral health options, Talkiatry’s specialized program offers compassionate, expert care designed just for you.
