How Mental Health Changes in Old Age

How Mental Health Changes in Old Age

Mental health is being discussed more openly and frequently in the modern era, and this has been hugely beneficial to a wide range of people. It is just as important to care for your mental well-being as it is for your physical health, and often these two are interlinked. While anyone can face challenges with their mental health throughout their lifetime, senior citizens can be particularly vulnerable to low mental health in their later years. Below are some examples of how seniors can be affected and what steps can be taken to help them through these challenges. Head over to Let’s Get Care if you are interested in aged care facilities.

Loneliness and Depression

One of the biggest issues facing senior citizens is feelings of loneliness and depression, particularly for those who live alone. They have often lost people with whom they had close relationships, whether that is a life partner, siblings, or close friends. Not only is dealing with this grief hard enough, but they might also feel more isolated and alone as the people they were closest to are no longer around. This is why it can be beneficial for seniors to move into environments where they can make new friends and get the support they need, such as this residential home run by Signature at Eastbourne.

A Change in Routine

Another way senior citizens might struggle with their mental health is by adjusting to changes in their routines. When you retire, there is suddenly a lot of free time that you’re not used to. While some people might love to live a life of leisure, others can find it challenging and perhaps boring not to have somewhere to be each day and tasks to do. This is why it is important to encourage hobbies for senior citizens, as well as get involved in groups or other social opportunities that they can fill their time with. It is important to have some structure to your weeks so that you find a sense of purpose and can keep yourself occupied.

Coping with Declining Health

Noticing a decline in your health, or the health of someone you love can be very distressing. Even small changes that can make it difficult to carry out basic tasks or limit your activity can result in frustration and perhaps even feelings of anger, too. It may be even more prominent if these health issues are more severe, and this is a very real issue for members of the senior community. It can sometimes be hard to accept that your body is changing and health problems are at an increased risk, particularly if you still feel young at heart. This is another way an elderly adult might struggle with their mental health, and having the right medical support and even counseling could be beneficial during this time.

Aging is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean that the challenges this brings are made any easier. This is why it is important to pay attention to the mental well-being of senior citizens, and ensure that they have the right support in place to navigate these challenges and live happier lives in their golden years.

To find out more about residential aged care be sure to visit Melbourne Aged Care Group.

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