Talkiatry Launches Geriatric Psychiatry Services to Support Aging Population

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Jan 30, 2024, 14:26 ET

Nation's leader in providing covered psychiatric care builds on adult and child & adolescent psychiatry footprint by extending specialty services to the growing geriatric population
The 65-and-older population needs access to quality psychiatric services to navigate stressful life experiences that come with growing older, such as loss, isolation, and declining health
Talkiatry's geriatric practice conducts cognitive and functional assessments, addressing barriers to care such as access and stigma

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National high-quality, in-network psychiatric care leader Talkiatry today announced that it has launched specialty telepsychiatry services for adults aged 65 and over. Talkiatry is committed to providing greater access to quality, specialized care for the often-overlooked aging patient population through its easy-to-navigate telehealth platform and team of board-certified geriatric psychiatrists.

The 65-and-over population in the U.S. is projected to double by 2050, increasing from 48 million to 88 million people. Of the 14% of older adults living with a mental disorder, there are generally two types of patients in need of psychiatric care. The first is those who have experienced chronic psychiatric issues for decades and could benefit from specialized geriatric psychiatry services focused on helping them evolve their treatment by addressing worsening cognitive issues and accommodating changes to how their bodies metabolize medication. There's also a large population of patients who experience circumstantial psychiatric challenges later in life, shaped by stressful experiences such as loss, isolation, and physical health decline.

"Geriatric care, especially geriatric psychiatry, needs to be both specific and broad, as there are so many ways a person can age. Talkiatry's geriatric psychiatry services cater and attend to all aging patients," said Georgia Gaveras, DO, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Talkiatry. "Our team of specialized psychiatrists understands what barriers geriatric patients are experiencing, know what questions to ask, and are trained to sensitively and effectively treat older people. We provide truly comprehensive psychiatric care focused on creating positive experiences and achieving quality outcomes."

Some aging patients are homebound with limited mobility or struggle with the logistics of in-person appointments. Others live in rural areas with limited access to specialists or grapple with the stigma around mental health treatment, and may be hesitant to accept help or start medications. Talkiatry's geriatric telepsychiatry services address these barriers to ensure anyone navigating loneliness, depression, or any other mental health challenge receives the care they need.

With more than 300 full-time, licensed psychiatrists, Talkiatry is well-equipped to see patients aged 65 and over. For the geriatric patient population, initial appointments are extended from 60 to 75 minutes, allowing more time for psychiatrists to establish rapport. It also helps orientate and educate patients on the value and purpose of telepsychiatry so they feel at ease throughout the process, which includes both a cognitive and functional assessment.

Talkiatry's patient care coordinators also proactively contact patients via phone to help them get online for their appointments. If a patient needs additional or ongoing help navigating the platform, the care coordinator or psychiatrist can call them before the session to ensure they're properly set up for their appointment.

"Everyone deserves access to quality psychiatric care, especially older patients who are regularly navigating some of life's most challenging, stressful events such as declining independence, memory impairment, and loss of family members and friends," said Robert Krayn, CEO and Co-Founder, Talkiatry. "We want older people who need psychiatric care to know that quality, specialized telehealth services are readily available from a team of Talkiatry psychiatrists uniquely suited to support them."

Talkiatry has 60+ in-network providers offering quality psychiatry care covered by insurance, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Humana, as well as Medicare. The majority of visits cost patients $30 or less after insurance.

About Talkiatry
Talkiatry is a national mental health practice that provides in-network psychiatry and therapy. They were co-founded by a patient and a triple-board-certified psychiatrist to solve the problems both groups face in accessing and providing the highest quality mental healthcare. 60% of adults in the U.S. with a diagnosable mental illness go untreated every year because care is inaccessible, while 45% of clinicians are out of network with insurers because reimbursement rates are low and paperwork is unduly burdensome. With innovative technology and a human-centered philosophy, Talkiatry provides patients with the care they need—and allows psychiatrists to focus on why they got into medicine. Learn more at www.talkiatry.com and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Talkiatry