Until you hit your 60s, maybe it never occurred to you that you'd have to care for mom — or the grandkids.
Maybe you never thought your spouse would die — at least not before you. And no one expects to lose a child, yet some do.
Teen-agers famously have to look for an identity. In mid-life, people often find themselves doing the same thing.
So what is to be done?
More seniors are turning to talk therapy for its restorative effects. Experts say you are never too old, even if, by the time you reach 80, you have seen it all. Therapy can offer perspective on the losses and regrets that often characterize mid-life. And, after all, we are going to be here, so we might as well be happier.
More importantly, grief or loss can lead to genuine depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that more than 6.5 million Americans over age 65 suffer from depression. It's not necessary today.
If you want to make it easier, check out local mental health agencies. Almost anyone can find a counselor they would be comfortable talking with. Experts say older adults rarely need more than 15 or 20 sessions to feel a big improvement in their lives.
