Don't Let Getting Older
GET TO YOU!
John R. Cook, Ph.D.
Registered Psychologist

There is no question that the population of older Canadians - defined as those 65 years of age and older - is getting larger. In fact, the oldest of this group, those 85 and older, is growing faster than any other age group. The good news is that most of our senior citizens are living independently in the community, and continuing to maintain close relationships with family and friends. They are blessed with some of the lowest rates of mental illness, having already worked through many problems that plague the younger generation. The bad news is that services to the elderly have not kept pace with their growing numbers.

The service most frequently requested from psychologists by older Canadians is help coping with age-related changes in their physical and mental abilities. Common reactions to these changes are feeling of powerlessness, and grief very much like that involved with losing a good friend. Perhaps most disturbing are age-related changes in mental abilities that fall outside of normal aging. These changes include memory loss caused by anxiety, depression, drug interactions and side effects, and dementia.

Roughly 10 percent of those over 65 in this country suffer from Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. Whereas some causes of memory loss outside of normal aging are reversible, dementia is not. Consequently, even when they're not directly affected by it, most older Canadians worry about dementia happening to them. This has created a huge need for therapy and assessment services.

Psychologists can help meet this need by offering the elderly psychological testing, cognitive training, and talk therapy. Psychological testing can be used to help tell the difference between mental changes that are part of normal aging and those that are not. Cognitive training can be used to reverse some memory problems associated with normal aging. Talk therapy is an effective way to help those suffering from anxiety or depression.

If you or a senior close to you have concerns about mental changes and would like more information, contact Dr. Cook at 881-1206. Complementary, initial, 20-minute interviews are available on request, to see it if you would like to make use of his services. People who are retired from government jobs, including the Armed Forces, often retain their extended benefits. Check into it, you may have 80 percent or more of your psychological services covered! Refer to the accompanying article by Mary Colak for more information.

Who Pays Psychologists?
Mary Colak
Business Manager

You've just had an appointment with your family physician and he's referred you to a psychologist. B.C. Medicare will cover the cost, right? Well, unfortunately, this is not the case. Psychology services are not covered by B.C. Medicare. They are treated as a private enterprise and payments for visits are made on a personal basis. However, assistance is available in many forms.

Your employer may provide you with an extended health plan that covers a portion (usually 80%) of psychologist fees up to a maximum annual amount. For example, B.C. government employees who have extended health plans with the Medical Services Association (now Pacific Blue Cross) receive coverage of 80% up to a maximum of $500.00 less a deductible of $20.00 per year. Federal government employees who have coverage with Sun Life Canada are eligible for 80% reimbursement up to $1,000 per year less a deductible of $20.00. Other extended health plans include Great West Life, London Life, Imperial Life, Canada Life and CU&C (now Pacific Blue Cross) among others.

If you are a member of the First Nations and you have a band number, National Health will pay for the services of a psychologist to assess your problem and make recommendations (up to two hours), and will provide ten or more hours of psychotherapy, depending on your situation. Coverage for psychologists is also possible through various publicly funded programs if you've been injured (emotionally and/or physically):

• in a motor vehicle accident

• in a work-related accident

• by a criminal act (assault, stalking)

• while a child in foster or residential care

These programs are administered by I.C.B.C., Workers' Compensation Board, Criminal Injuries Compensation (a branch of the Workers' Compensation Board), and the Residential Historical Abuse Program of Capital Regional Mental Health, respectively. Refer to the sidebar for information about making an application.

If you would like further information about how to pay for psychologist fees, please call my assistant at 881-1206.

PUBLICLY FUNDED PROGRAMS