As the baby boomer generation becomes senior citizens and starts to flood into the last stage of life, a new definition and new expectations of retirement and aging are evolving. This is not your father's way of being an older adult. People today tend not to retire in a traditional way. They envision getting older as a challenge to stay active and engaged, a chance to reinvent themselves, and an opportunity to reach for new goals. However, for some, this stage of life can be difficult, bringing with it a whole range of new challenges and obstacles. Along the way, many may deal with mental health problems such as stress and anxiety, grief and depression, drug and alcohol abuse, changes in marital and other relationships, as well as elder abuse. Are you ready? How will you fill your new free time? How will you cope with the psychological changes? Let this book, on coping with the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual issues of retirement and aging from a psychiatrist's perspective, light the way. This book will help readers deal with common issues across a broad spectrum. It offers treatment options, suggests coping skills, and even deals with spiritual and emotional challenges at the end of life. It will help you invest in relationships, redefine your marriage, and broaden your horizons. It will allow you to take charge of your life in retirement and not just let it happen to you.
Author's Note Contents Foreword Introduction: Psychological Aspects of Retirement and Aging Part I: Getting Ready: Awareness Chapter 1 -Emotions Chapter 2 - Negative Behaviors Chapter 3 -Relationships Chapter 4 - Physical changes Part II: Common Mental Health Problems As We Age Chapter 5 - Stress and Anxiety Chapter 6 - Depression and Grief Chapter 7 - Drug and Alcohol Abuse Chapter 8 -Marital and Sexual Issues Later in Life Chapter 9 - Dementia and Alzheimer's disease Chapter 10- Elder Abuse Part III: Mental Health in the Final Phase of Life Chapter 11 -Psychological Caregiver Challenges Chapter 12 - Emotional Decisions at the End of Life Part 1V: Psychiatric Treatment Options Chapter 13 - Can A Psychiatrist Help? Chapter 14- Therapy Chapter 15 - Medication Part V: Coping Skills Chapter 16 - Stay Active Chapter 17 - Maintain a Positive Attitude Chapter 18 - Have a Goal and Stay Engaged Chapter 19 -Religious Affiliation Chapter 20- Laughter is the Best Medicine Conclusion - The Meaning of Life - Aging Wisdom Acknowledgment About the Author Bibliography
