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Older Adults with Stable Cognitive Functioning

Later life brings unique challenges, including changes in physical health, retirement, bereavement, and shifting family roles. For some older adults, these changes contribute to mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related concerns, or adjustment disorders. At Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital, we provide tailored mental health support for older adults with stable cognitive functioning, ensuring care is both compassionate and clinically effective.

Our psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors work closely with patients and families to provide treatment that recognises the complexities of ageing while supporting independence, dignity, and quality of life.

See Disorders Treated

Older adults with stable cognitive functioning may experience mental health conditions similar to younger adults, but these can present differently in later life. Depression might be overlooked as “just ageing,” while anxiety or trauma may be compounded by physical health concerns. Unlike conditions such as dementia, patients in this group retain intact cognitive abilities, allowing them to benefit fully from therapies and structured programs.

At Sunshine Clinic, we provide both inpatient care and outpatient day programs for older patients who may be living with:

  • Mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder
  • Anxiety and panic disorders
  • Trauma-related conditions, including PTSD
  • Adjustment disorders following bereavement, illness, or lifestyle changes
  • Personality disorders that remain stable into older adulthood

Mental health challenges in older adults are often triggered or worsened by life transitions and health-related stressors. Contributing factors may include:

  • Loss of a partner, family member, or close friend
  • Chronic illness, pain, or disability
  • Relocation from the family home into care settings
  • Social isolation and reduced independence
  • Unresolved trauma resurfacing later in life
  • Pre-existing mental health conditions persisting into older age

While these challenges can feel overwhelming, they are not an inevitable part of ageing. With the right care, older adults can experience stability, wellbeing, and renewed purpose.

  • Approximately 10–15% of older Australians experience depression, with higher rates in those living with chronic illness or reduced independence
  • Around 10% experience anxiety disorders, though these are often underdiagnosed in older populations
  • PTSD is less frequently identified in older adults but may resurface, particularly in veterans or those who have endured earlier life trauma
  • Adjustment disorders are common following bereavement, serious illness, or significant lifestyle changes

Despite these figures, many older Australians do not seek treatment, often due to stigma or the belief that emotional distress is simply part of ageing. Sunshine Clinic aims to change this perception by offering supportive, age-sensitive treatment pathways.

Certain factors increase the likelihood of mental health challenges in later life:

  • Chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis
  • Limited social support or isolation
  • Bereavement and loss
  • Relocation to residential aged care or changes in living circumstances
  • A personal or family history of mental illness
  • Substance use or misuse, particularly alcohol or prescription medications

Recognising these risks early and seeking support can prevent conditions from worsening and improve long-term outcomes.

Treatment Options

At Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital, treatment for older adults is designed to respect individual needs, health conditions, and personal goals. Options may include:

For those experiencing acute distress, inpatient admission provides a safe and structured environment with 24-hour clinical support.

Tailored therapies are available through structured day programs, allowing patients to engage in treatment while maintaining independence.

Evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) are adapted to suit older adults.

Mindfulness-based programs can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and support relaxation.

Music, art, and movement therapies offer meaningful, non-verbal ways to process emotions and enhance wellbeing.
For treatment-resistant depression or co-existing mood symptoms, rTMS provides a non-invasive option that can be accessed by both inpatients and outpatients.
Where appropriate, families are engaged in treatment to strengthen communication, reduce isolation, and provide ongoing support after discharge.

Why Choose Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital?

Older adults deserve care that goes beyond symptom management. At Sunshine Clinic, we focus on restoring independence, fostering connection, and supporting emotional resilience. Our approach includes:

  • A multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors
  • Specialised programs designed for older adults with intact cognitive function
  • Inpatient and outpatient pathways tailored to different levels of support
  • Therapies that address both mental health and the emotional impact of ageing
  • A welcoming environment that values dignity, respect, and quality of life

We believe ageing should not mean facing mental health difficulties alone. With the right treatment, older adults can experience meaningful recovery, improved relationships, and a renewed sense of wellbeing. Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital is here to support that journey.

Comprehensive Private Mental Health Care in Melbourne’s West

Sunshine Clinic offers psychiatry consulting services, as well as inpatient and outpatient programs tailored to support recovery, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.

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