Why Do Older Adults Struggle with Mental Health?
| Summary • Mental health issues can be difficult to detect in older people because they share similarities with other conditions. • Unmanaged mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression, can impact the physical health of your loved one, too. • Quality social time, physical exercise, and caring for a pet can improve mental health in aging adults. • A medical alert device will help you keep in touch with aging adults who may be having mental health struggles. |
Aging adults deal with many of the same challenges that younger people face, but they may also have additional stressors that can contribute to mental health problems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that more than 20% of people over 60 have some form of mental disorder, with risk factors like chronic pain, isolation, poor physical health, and bereavement contributing to their mental struggles.
To make things more complicated, mental health problems can be difficult to identify in aging adults. It’s possible for your loved one to have anxiety or depression without anyone knowing. This is especially true for older adults who have dementia.
Depression and dementia share similar symptoms so can be easy to assume, for example, that someone has become withdrawn and apathetic because they have dementia and not because their mental health is suffering.
If an older loved one suddenly stops socializing with friends and family, you may assume that mobility issues or physical health problems are to blame — not that they actually have a serious mental illness.
Because some aging adults can become increasingly isolated, mental health issues in older people may go untreated for longer.
If you’re concerned about your parents and whether their mental health needs are being met, keep reading to learn how you can help an aging loved one who may be suffering in silence.
Why is Good Mental Health So Important for Older People?
The mental health of aging loved ones should be prioritized as their mental state has a direct impact on their physical health.
Here are some ways that mental health problems can impact the physical health of older individuals:
- Low energy levels and motivation: Poor mental health can prevent an aging adult from taking proper care of themselves.
- Difficulty focusing or remembering things: This can result in missed medication doses and forgotten doctors’ appointments — not to mention pots that might boil over on the stove and cause a fire hazard.
- Unwilling to change unhealthy behaviors: Research shows that almost one million adults older than 65 struggle with substance use disorder (SUD). For example, an older adult who drinks too much will have a greater risk of suffering a fall.
- Not receiving proper medical care: Aging adults who are anxious or depressed may not care about their own well-being enough to schedule a doctor’s appointment.
- Not getting enough exercise: There is a well-established link between physical activity and mental health. Older adults who are depressed are likely to be less physically active, and not getting enough exercise will increase the likelihood of developing other health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Possible decreased life span: Aging adults with mental health problems may be decreasing the quality and duration of their lives. Older folks who face increased social isolation may have weaker social ties that can negatively impact both their physical and mental health.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Loved One’s Mental Health?
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to mental health. Do not wait until your loved one develops anxiety or mood disorders before you do something to help them.
There are strategies you can implement now that will benefit your loved one in the future. Here are some ways to keep your aging parent happy and healthy well into their retirement years.
Initiate socializing
Your mom or dad may not want to admit that they miss you, especially if you have responsibilities that don’t allow you to visit them as often as you’d like. It may then be up to you to make the first move.
Invite them to a movie or dinner, and create a family culture of socializing to help them feel valued and supported. Do you live far from them? Consider scheduled — or even spur-of-the-moment phone or video calls.
An aging parent is more likely to open up to you about their mental health problems if you make them feel secure and not like they’re a burden to you.
Keep their cognitive skills sharp
One of the best things an older person can do to keep their mind agile is to learn a new skill. It doesn’t really matter what they choose to learn; as long as they remain safe and stimulated while learning.
Learning a new skill is a great activity a child can do with their parent — it will strengthen their relationship and keep an aging loved one engaged.
Gift them a pet
The benefits of fluffy and furry companions are well documented.
A pet is a great addition to the home of an aging loved one who’d enjoy having one around, as it can relieve anxiety, boost confidence, provide unconditional love, and give structure to their days.
A much-loved cat or dog that must be fed, walked, and cuddled can motivate an older person to get out of bed and start the day, even if the motivation wasn’t originally there.
A pet may also encourage them to move more and go out into the world — and a walk in nature can work wonders for improving mental health!
Gift them a medical alert device
The older adults get, the trickier it can become to use technology like smartphones — especially on those days when they’re feeling overwhelmed and just need to speak to someone.
A smartphone can act as an unintended barrier between you and them at such times — so consider getting them a medical alert device instead.
LogicMark offers a great selection of medical alert devices for you and your loved one to choose from.
These devices are small and won’t disrupt your loved one’s daily life. They can be worn on the wrist, clipped to a belt, or be hung around the neck as a pendant.
Whether you need something basic that allows you to pre-program numbers and connect to loved ones during emergencies, or you want a more advanced device with 24/7 monitoring, we’ve got you covered.
All our devices are easy to use and connect directly to emergency responders, home health aides, family members, or monitoring centers at the click of a button.
Even though a medical alert device may be one of the simplest tools an aging loved can use, it can make a big difference in their lives. It’s a gift that shows you care and want to stay connected to your mom or dad.
If you’ve already brought up the topic and your aging parent wasn’t too excited about wearing a medical alert device, don’t worry. Our 30-day return policy allows you to comfortably test out the device and get your money back if it doesn’t work for you.
Focus on physical activity
Increased physical activity is a much healthier way to cope with anxiety and stress than some other methods.
Just be mindful of your parents’ limitations to avoid them getting hurt or overexerting themselves. If no one is available to supervise them on a walk in the local park, a medical alert device can help make sure they stay safe and have access to help if they need it.
To learn more about the benefits of medical alert devices and how they can help adults keep active, take a look at this article.
Encourage them to make a positive contribution to the community
One of the biggest problems faced by adults in retirement is a lack of purpose.
Someone who once had a career, who perhaps trained staff and interacted with people every day, may miss it when it’s no longer a part of their routine.
This doesn’t mean aging adults should go searching for jobs again, but they can take up volunteer positions in their community or at organizations they would like to work with.
A sense of purpose and belonging can be fostered through volunteer work. Volunteering may also help retired veterans cope with their PTSD symptoms.
How Can I Keep My Loved One with Mental Health Problems Safe?
Good mental health is incredibly important as someone’s mental state affects every aspect of their life — irrespective of their age.
An older adult may experience poor physical health because they are struggling with their mental health.
Our medical alert devices can help your loved ones contact you when they’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or overburdened by feelings they don’t understand.
Get in touch with us to learn how our products and services can benefit you, but be sure to seek professional help if you’re concerned about the mental state of your loved one.
