What happens to mental health when independence is lost? Steve Lamonaco, President and CEO of Thrive Behavioral Science, pulls back the curtain on the often-overlooked psychological challenges facing nursing home residents and their families.

Drawing from his remarkable journey spanning four decades in elder care—from nursing assistant to CEO—Steve shares how his firsthand experiences shaped Thrive's innovative approach to providing psychiatric and psychological services to over 9,000 elderly patients monthly across Florida's nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the profound adjustment disorders many seniors face when entering long-term care. "Nobody sits back and says 'I can't wait to get to the nursing home,'" Steve notes, highlighting how depression and anxiety often accompany the loss of independence, financial control, and familiar routines. Particularly moving is his insight into the parallel suffering of caregivers left at home, whose own routines and mental health frequently deteriorate after placement decisions.

Steve's perspective is uniquely valuable because he bridges clinical understanding with administrative expertise as a licensed nursing home administrator. This dual perspective allows him and his team to create systems that effectively address resident needs while helping facilities maintain compliance and quality measures—reaching far more seniors than traditional approaches.

Beyond professional insights, Steve shares personal reflections that reveal his deep commitment to this work, including his habit of working 80+ hour weeks and not taking a vacation since 2004. His advice to aspiring healthcare administrators emphasizes humility, continuous learning, and genuine empathy for both residents and staff.

Want to learn more about supporting elderly mental health or connect with Steve's team? Visit www.thrivebehavioralsciences.com or find Thrive Behavioral Sciences on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Caitlyn Whitmoyer shares her journey from burnout as an educational consultant to becoming a wellness coach and entrepreneur helping educators find freedom and balance through holistic health practices.

• Owner of Hand in Health Wellness, helping educators find their pathway to freedom
• Co-founder of Thread Education, bringing well-being into schools to strengthen culture
• Defines holistic health as multidimensional, addressing spiritual, relational, financial, and vocational wellness
• Experienced severe burnout and health issues that led to her career transformation
• Offers Access Bars therapy, a technique involving gentle touch on 32 points on the cranium
• Teaches mindfulness as simply being present rather than complicated practices
• Prefers "work-life harmony" over "work-life balance"
• Uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients build neuroplasticity
• Growing Thread Education to secure district contracts and expand impact
• Working with Reach University to help fast-track education degrees

Connect with Caitlyn on Instagram @Hand.in.health_wellness and @Thread_edu or visit their websites.