-- In observance of National Mental Health Awareness Month in October, Brand New Day, a California Medicare health plan that offers a program for those with mental illness called the Harmony Plan, is offering some timely advice for seniors and their families. The National Institutes of Health says that 1 out of 5 senior Americans experiences one or more of the four major types of mental illness: anxiety/depression, personality disorders, psychosis and eating disorders.
“While many younger Americans are open about their mental health issues, oftentimes seniors hold firm in their belief that there is some sort of stigma attached to this form of illness. This mindset can be traced to previous generations who held this same view,” says James Pratty, M.D., Medical Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health for Brand New Day. “What we hope to achieve as we observe National Mental Health Awareness Month is to erase the stigma attached to mental illness and encourage treatment.”
Pratty suggests that the public pay particular attention to their elderly relatives, friends and neighbors and open the door for discussion.
“Seniors face many circumstances that often trigger a mental health issue. For instance, they may fall into a depression due to their loss of independence, declining health, fear of running out of money, the death or illness of their spouse, loss of a pet or ongoing loneliness,” he explains. “I urge those with elderly friends and family to encourage them to open up about such concerns and let them know that experiencing anxiety, depression and other related issues is nothing to be embarrassed about.
“I say that with a caveat, however,” he warns. “I’m not suggesting that lay persons play armchair psychologist. If the person in question is exhibiting serious symptoms such as dramatic changes in their personality and/or mood, prolonged loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy, sudden changes in their sleep patterns and/or lack of appetite, encourage them to seek professional help.”
Brand New Day offers some strategies for helping older adults overcome the stigma associated with mental illness. Be sensitive to their fears/concerns, refrain from “telling them what to do,” remain calm even in the face of emotional outbursts, be persistent, avoid power struggles, enlist other family members and/or friends for support and keep the lines of communication open and positive.
In addition to its Harmony Plan, Brand New Day’s benefit plans that are available to those with Medicare Part A and B or with Medicare and Medi-Cal include:
· Classic Plan — basic plan for its Medicare-only, Medicare and Medi-Cal members
· Embrace Plan — serving those with heart disease and/or diabetes
· Bridges Plan — serving those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
· Select Plan — serving those residing in assisted living communities or long-term care (nursing homes) facilities
Brand New Day works with independent brokers throughout the state and can arrange for an in-person appointment for those wanting to review their plans anywhere in the state. Brand New Day is a subsidiary of Bright HealthCare and Bright Health Group, (NYSE: BHG). For more information about the Brand New Day Medicare Advantage plans, call (866) 255-4795 and visit www.BNDHMO.com .
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Contact Info:
Name: Frank Groff
Email: Send Email
Organization: Brand New Day
Address: 5455 Garden Grove Blvd, Suite 500, Westminster, CA 92683, United States
Phone: +1-562-225-9981
Website: https://BNDHMO.com
Release ID: 89082504