Mental Health in Aging Adults: Importance and Support Strategies
The elderly population experiences several mental health issues, like dementia, anxiety, and depression, owing to loneliness, lack of social connectedness, death of loved ones, house move, and changes in health condition. Aging is one of the most significant factors behind reduced mental functionality in individuals, causing complete deterioration of quality of life.
Family caregivers and even those hired to take care of the senior family members must understand their mental health issues and work accordingly to find solutions that can help the elderly lead a normal and independent lives. Before going further, they must understand the significance of proper mental well-being in the elderly and strategies that can help them cope with various disorders.
Significance of Mental Health in Aging Individuals
Mentally distressed aging individuals may be dependent on their families and caregivers for every step they take in life, making things difficult for them and even the people involved. Therefore, gauge their mental health requirements within time and do the needful so they can lead life to the fullest.
- Significance of Mental Well-Being for Good Quality Life
Mentally stable and healthy older individuals have a purpose in life and are equally satisfied and happy. Conversely, those with poor mental health conditions may suffer from sadness, anxiety, and diminished well-being.
- Sound Mental Health is Crucial for Proper Cognitive Functionality
As people age, they lose their ability to think and reason, thus rendering them unable to keep things in mind, be attentive at work or home, or solve problems in their lives. It is necessary to take proper steps to ensure that the cognitive function of the elderly remains intact even after 60 by taking care of their mental health condition.
- Top-Level Mental Well-being Helps an Adult Stay Socially Connected
Mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, may hinder an aging adult from connecting with people socially, further leading to loneliness. Therefore, maintain proper mental health, especially for adults living alone who need to maintain strong social connections to lead a healthy life.
Support Strategies for Mental Health
Prioritizing proper mental well-being among older individuals is very important to ensure they keep living life without facing major physical, emotional, and social issues. More education is required in this field, encouraging older individuals to be open about their mental distress instead of hiding it. Being open and remaining positive can slowly and steadily help them cope. Additionally, several support strategies can be of good help. These include:
- Beneficial Interventions
Support strategies, like counseling, support groups, therapy, and other interventions, can help promote mental well-being in older individuals, thus improving their overall quality of life.
- Engaging in Different Activities
To keep minds sharp and improve cognitive function, older adults can engage in activities like reading and puzzles. Learning new skills can also promote mental stimulation in aged individuals.
- Social Interactions
Ageing adults should always look out for avenues to connect with people, either through friends and family or through support groups and community organizations. These extensive social interactions give them a purpose in life. Helping them combat feelings of loneliness while also promoting their overall mental well-being.
- Encouraging Regular Exercise and Nutritious Diet
Proper exercise and a diet rich in brain-stimulating foods, like fish, can help safeguard the mental health condition of your loved senior citizen to a considerable extent.
- Seeking Professional Help
Always look out for proper professional assistance when trying to maintain and promote an elderly’s mental health. While professionals like therapists and psychologists may be a good choice, the in-home care providers at Vesta Elder Care may also contribute significantly. We work as per chosen customized healthcare plans, taking care of your elderly’s overall health requirements, including mental health. We visit your home on a 12-hour or 24-hour basis as per your preference and need without spending exorbitantly. In their company, your loved elderly will be at peace and recover instantly, be it any physical or mental condition.
You can also elevate your elder care experience with our mobile app, which has been seamlessly designed to connect you to the required services instantly. Download it now to record your loved senior’s vitals and to manage their mental health condition effortlessly.
By leveraging caregiver support from Vesta Elder Care, you can easily maintain and promote your elderly loved one’s mental health. Contact us now.
LEAVE US A MESSAGE
Dr. Prateek Bhardwaj is the COO of Vesta Elder Care. a physiotherapist by profession and Prateek joined the Vesta team at its time of inception. His years of experience have enriched Vesta to become a service-oriented organization and have guided the team through its many milestones