STHS & Prominence Health help educate seniors on the impact of mental illness

SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM & PROMINENCE HEALTH TO HELP EDUCATE LOCAL SENIORS ON THE IMPACT OF MENTAL ILLNESS ON THE ELDERLY DURING SPECIAL EVENT

Entitled “Living with Mental Illness,” the program is part of STHS & Prominence Health’s “Senior Living Seminar Series,” which focuses on providing important education on health issues greatly affecting the senior population

As we age, we may experience certain life changes that affect our mental health, like coping with a serious illness or losing a loved one. While many people adjust to these life changes, others may experience feelings of grief, social isolation or loneliness. When these emotions are constant, it can lead to mental illnesses like depression or anxiety.

An estimated 4% of adults aged 70 and older have depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While depression is a true medical condition that’s treatable, like hypertension or diabetes, it’s not a normal part of aging. Older adults often experience challenges related to health or changes in life circumstances that may put seniors at an increased risk for depression.

Despite being highly treatable, mental health conditions tend to go undiagnosed and untreated in the elderly. In fact, one-fifth of older adults have some type of mental health concern like depression, anxiety or another problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but only a third of them who suffer from these illnesses get the necessary treatment to improve their mental health.

It’s important for seniors to understand that effective treatment options are available to help them manage their mental health issues and improve their overall quality of life. Recognizing the signs and seeing a healthcare provider are the first key steps to getting treatment.

To educate the senior community on the distinct types of mental illness commonly found in the elderly and their effects on overall health, South Texas Health System and Prominence Health are teaming up to host the latest installment of the popular Senior Living Seminar Series on Friday, December 6.

Entitled “Living with Mental Illness,” the seminar will spotlight the causes, effects and treatments for mental illness issues in seniors.

Held in the Texas Room at South Texas Health System Edinburg from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the event will give participants the opportunity to learn about risk factors that can lead to issues like depression and anxiety, as well as other mental health issues, and how to manage them.

The seminar will feature medical professionals and patient testimonials, as well as a healthy cooking demonstration and exercise demonstration.

In addition to the talks and demonstrations, the seminar will include a community health fair featuring no cost health screenings including blood pressure and glucometer checks.

For more information, and to register for this free event, please contact Veronica Galligan at 956-821-9569 or by email at Veronica.Galligan@uhsinc.com

Who: South Texas Health System & Prominence Health

What: Senior Living Seminar Series Living with Mental Illness

When: Friday, December 6, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: Texas Room South Texas Health System Edinburg 1102 W. Trenton Rd. Edinburg, TX. 78539

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and six freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

About Prominence Health

Prominence Health began in 1993 as a health maintenance organization (HMO) and became of a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) in 2014. They provide coverage to more than 60,000 fully insured, self-funded and Medicare Advantage members throughout Nevada and parts of Texas. Prominence operates seven Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in California, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Washington D.C., which are managed care systems that benefit communities by providing coordinated, high-quality care to Medicare patients. For more information about Prominence Health, visit ProminenceHealthPlan.com or ProminenceMedicare.com.

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