Mental health problems are often overlooked by health-care professionals and the elderly themselves, and the stigma surrounding mental illness makes people reluctant to seek help. Older adults are more likely to seek treatment for other physical ailments than they are to seek treatment for depression or substance abuse. Substance abuse problems in older adults are most often associated with the misuse of alcohol, over-the-counter medication and prescription drugs, particularly when physicians prescribe medications without knowing the other medications their patients are taking. Caring for a loved one with mental health or substance abuse problems presents a unique set of challenges. Mental health professionals who treat older adults typically do not see the client in the home setting and are often unaware of the relevant dynamics. Having a geriatric care manager/aging life care professional as part of the mental health team can yield benefits to both the client and the clinician.
