Aging & caregiving

Mental health support for older adults, and for the people caring for them.

What it is

Aging brings its own mental health considerations — depression and anxiety in older adults are often missed because they're mistaken for a normal part of getting older, or masked by physical health concerns. Caring for an aging parent or partner carries its own, separate toll.

Good to know

Depression in older adults is not a normal or expected part of aging — it's treatable at any age, and persistent low mood or withdrawal deserves the same attention it would at 30.

What helps

For older adults, care that accounts for physical health alongside mental health tends to work best — NL's Geriatric Psychiatry Assessment Unit exists for exactly this overlap. For caregivers, a dedicated support line and respite options help prevent the caregiver's own health from becoming a second, hidden problem.

When to seek help

For an older adult: persistent low mood, withdrawal, or confusion deserves assessment, not assumption. For a caregiver: call Caregivers NL before burnout sets in, not after.

Before you call

What to expect at your first counselling sessionNervous about a first session? It's mostly just talking, at your pace. Here's what usually happens — and what won't.

Services that can help

See all related services in NL