Re-Examining the "Golden Years": Depression and Older Adults

Presented by Edna Wallace, LMFT, and Thomas E. Havel, MD

Today we are looking at the picture of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder in older adults. Older adults often present with different symptoms and require different treatment than the general adult population. The “golden years” can be filled with regrets, pain, memory impairment, and mood disorders, which impact both the patient and their family or close support system. In addition, older adults often don’t take the steps necessary to seek help. These factors and more will be explored by a case manager and a psychiatrist who’ve been treating the geriatric population for decades.

About the Presenters

Edna Wallace, LMFT and LPCC, has worked at El Camino Health since 2007. She works both in the Adult Mood Disorders (AMP) program and in the specialized older adult clinic—Older Adults Transition Services (OATS). She enjoys leading groups and is a certified group psychotherapist. She loves the interdisciplinary approach at the hospital, interacting daily with psychiatrists, occupational therapists, nurses, and other case managers. Edna has presented on depression, CBT and Positive Psychology, Stress and Time Management, and other wellness topics at various settings throughout the bay area including NAMI, several senior centers, and a government agency. In her spare time, Edna is an active member of two Toastmasters clubs, two writing groups, and a Scrabble group.

Dr. Thomas Havel specializes in adult inpatient psychiatry, helping seriously ill people manage such conditions as depression, anxiety and phobia so they can return to their communities and get on with their lives. Since 1980, he has worked at El Camino Health, Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide care and comfort to patients experiencing mental health crises.  Dr. Havel treats his patients with respect, acknowledging their individual needs and working with them in partnership. His core belief is that the patient is a person, not a disease. He enjoys the collegial work environment at El Camino Health and appreciates the staff’s excellent, empathetic care.

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