Knowing the importance of maintaining a healthy emotional state as we age is becoming more acknowledged among senior citizens. What was once a taboo topic to talk about, elderly mental health is no longer seen as something to keep quiet but, instead, to be raised and discussed to address and find steps toward emotional wellness. This article provides strategies for emotional well-being in the senior years.
1) Nurturing Mental Health in Later Life: An Introduction
Mental health is an important aspect of life, no matter how old or young. As such, it is just as important to nurture mental health during later life.
- Managing Expectations: Your expectations as a senior should accommodate any age-related physical decline or health issues. Embrace the idea of being wiser and enjoying an emotional maturity that comes with age. Don’t set impossible goals as a senior but be kind to yourself and your body.
- Staying Active: Too much physical and emotional stagnation can lead to depression, so it’s important to stay active and engaged. This doesn’t necessarily have to be strenuous, physical activities – even activities like reading a good book or attending a hobby or craft class can be constructive and rewarding.
Other things to keep in mind when nurturing your mental health include:
- Socializing: While it’s natural to withdraw as we get older, staying connected to the outside world and scheduiling time with family and friends is important for holistic wellbeing.
- Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet can provide essential nutrients necessary to maintain mental health. Consume fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats, and get enough dietary fiber. Avoid processed foods and/or alcohol overdoses.
- Routine: Keeping a good daily routine can help maintain emotional stability, set patterns of behavior that may reduce feelings of stress and depression, and offer activities to look forward to on a daily basis.
- Help: Have an open mind towards professional help which can be provided by clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. Reach out to counseling as a form of self-help.
These are only some of the measures you can take to nurture mental health in later life but ultimately it all comes down to listening to your own needs and understanding what works best for you.
2) Understanding Elderly Mental Health Challenges
As we age, mental health challenges become increasingly common. It’s important to understand some of the common issues and how to best support an elderly loved one.
Memory Loss is one of the most common mental health issues among the elderly. This varies in difficulty based on the individual; it can range from absentmindedness to more serious memory challenges. It’s important to be patient and understanding with an elderly person who is struggling with this issue.
Depression can be common in old age, just like in any other age group. It’s often spurred on by a decrease in physical health, a reduced sense of autonomy, and other age-related issues. An elderly person dealing with depression may have symptoms such as feeling helpless, being constantly tired, and negative thoughts. As a friend or family member, it can be helpful to talk to and spend time with the person.
Isolation can be a major mental health issue. Many elderly people live alone, struggle to get around due to physical health issues, and lose contact with friends and family who have passed on or moved away. It’s important to try and ensure that an elderly person has someone to talk to. A few strategies could include:
- Calling or video chatting multiple times a week.
- Making sure to visit in-person as much as possible.
- Making sure that social gatherings are accessible.
- Considering professional help, if needed.
Overall, understanding the mental health issues of an elderly person and how to best support them is essential.
3) Practicing Self-Care for Seniors
Self-care can be especially important for seniors. As you grow older, you may find that certain activities can be difficult to take part in, such as driving. Staying healthy is also something that needs to be taken into account. Here are some ways to make sure you are practicing self-care as a senior citizen.
- Find a Hobby: Staying active and involved in something you enjoy can work wonders for your mental health. Try exploring new classes or activities that might be of interest to you. Taking up something like yoga or woodworking will not only keep you engaged, but may improve your flexibility and overall wellness.
- Stay Connected: It’s easy to become isolated when you’re not going out regularly. Technology has helped bridge the gap by enabling us to remain in contact with family and friends more easily. Make sure you check in with your family, connect online, and attend virtual events to stay connected.
- Create a Routine: Establishing a routine can provide structure and stability to your daily life. Make sure you are setting goals for yourself and developing habits that will help manage stress. Incorporate meditation, daily walks, or other activities that can provide emotional and physical support.
- See Your Doctor: Staying on top of your medical care is paramount for seniors. Make sure you are attending regular check-ups, taking any necessary medications, and notifying your doctor if you are having any health issues.
It is not always easy to stay healthy as you age, but taking care of yourself should always be a priority. Developing a routine and staying connected with family and friends can be essential for good mental health. Make sure you are also attending regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to ensure that you stay healthy and safe.
4) Establishing a Supportive Network
Networking is a critical component of any successful endeavor, and establishing a supportive network for achieving the goals you set out for yourself is no exception. As a basic strategy, getting in contact with family, friends, and community leaders to make yourself known and begin a dialogue is an idea worth exploring. To make the most of your network, you’ll want to:
- Be proactive— Save yourself the hassle of reaching out to strangers by conducting some research and letting people know you’re interested in their advice and assistance.
- Stay organized— Make sure you keep a log of all your contacts and meetings, carefully recording down key points or ideas discussed.
- Be authentic— Don’t be afraid to reach out to those whose expertise could make a difference. Offering genuine kindness and appreciation will make it easier for people to open up.
- Be tolerant— Not everyone you reach out to will be able to help you, and that’s not their fault. It’s only natural that your paths may not cross and that’s alright.
By having an open mind and a willingness to make connections with different people and industries, you will drastically increase your chances of creating a supportive network that’s tailored to your specific needs. Once you have a network, remember to always take the time to reach out and thank the people who have helped you. After all, part of being supportive is showing your appreciation when it matters.
5) Recognizing Stressors to Avoid Burnout
Burnout is a serious problem, but we can take steps to avoid it. One of the most important things we can do is to recognize our stressors and take preventative action.
Understand your stress
It comes in many different forms: time pressure or stress from a difficult work situation, for example. Before the situation gets out of control, it’s important to take a look at the source of the stress. That way, we can manage it before it spirals out of control.
Identify your stress triggers
Knowing what your stress triggers are is essential. There are certain people or situations that can trigger anxiety or other negative emotions. Pay attention to those triggers and be aware of them when they arise. If possible, try to remove yourself from the situation before these reactions get too severe.
Engage in self-care
It’s also important to take care of yourself before the stress gets too severe. Take regular breaks from stressful situations, take time to practice relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, and be sure to get plenty of sleep. It’s also important to maintain a balanced lifestyle, one that includes plenty of time for fun activities like going for a walk or visiting with a friend.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If the stress is getting to be too much, reach out to a trusted friend or family member. Talking about our issues can be a great way to get the support we need and share our feelings.
Elderly mental health is an essential, yet often referred to, issue. With the ever-increasing life expectancies, it is of the utmost importance to embrace and develop coping strategies that help maintain emotional wellbeing. By understanding the challenges that may pose a risk to mental wellbeing and taking action to prevent and manage these risk factors, our elderly population can go on to live healthier, happier and longer lives.
