Mental health is the topic of discussion now more than it’s ever been. With increasing amounts of people raising awareness to mental health conditions via social media platforms, the message gets spread to a very large demographic.
However, it doesn’t encompass everyone, as the message may not reach seniors if they aren’t using these platforms. According to a study done by the CDC, it is estimated that 20% of people aged 55 years or older experience some type of mental health concern.
This is too high of a percentage for seniors (and the people in their lives ) to not take their mental health seriously, especially around the holiday season.
Signs to Look For
Shutting down
If you find that your loved one isn’t as responsive as they used to be, it may signify some mental health problems. Shutting down can encompass a lot of different things and may present itself as your parents not talking to you as much or withdrawing from activities they like to do. This generally happens as a result of a lack of focus due to the mental battles they’re fighting. It’s harder to focus on things that matter when the things going on in your brain are demanding all of your attention.
Decreased coherency
Lack of coherency is a common symptom of mental decline. While some of it may be due to the natural aging process, if it gets to the point that they aren’t able to do the basic functions that they used to, it never hurts to get things checked out. It can be due to something simple, like your parents having a lot to deal with mentally or as a result of a bigger problem such as dementia.
Mood swings
There are times in which an occasional bad mood or mood swing may not be a cause for concern. However, you know what’s normal behavior for your parents or loved ones. If they’re consistently acting out of character, it can point toward mental health problems. It’s common for people to lash out when experiencing loneliness, depression, anxiety, and more. So pay close attention to their actions rather than their words.
Drastic diet changes
As people age, portion sizes tend to decrease. So there’s no alarm there, but if your loved one’s appetite is barely existent, that’s an issue. Most individuals facing some sort of mental health condition have low energy and a lack of motivation to do most things, eating included. Diet is extremely crucial to older adults’ well-being as they need proper nutrients to stay as healthy as possible.
Options to help
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Online Therapy:
You never want to write your loved one’s symptoms off as nothing, since it may be more serious than you think. If you’re having a hard time figuring out what’s going on with your parents, it may be best to let a professional take over.
They’ll have the tools to get to the root of the issue and come up with a plan of action. Not only that, but online therapy is a great option for seniors who have a hard time getting around. Seeing as traveling to appointments is sometimes very taxing, therapy online makes getting mental health assistance convenient and easily accessible.
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Help them spend time with others:
This is an important tip for those with parents who have mental health conditions stemming from loneliness. Loneliness and its potential impact on mental health should not be overlooked seeing as more than 40% of seniors regularly experience loneliness.
If you find that you cannot see your parents as often as you’d like, consider a group residential community. That way, your loved one is surrounded by other older adults and can connect with like-minded individuals. Not only that, but living in a group residential community will also give them access to benefits, like caregivers, that they might not otherwise have had.
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Stay Connected:
Even if you cannot visit your parents or parents, you can still connect with them. Whether that be via a phone call, letters, gifts in the mail, or video calling, there are ways to show your loved ones that they are not alone.
Staying connected is also a great way to identify any changes in their mental or physical health. The more you talk to them, the easier it will be to catch on to changes that occur. So make sure you keep your loved ones at the forefront of your mind this holiday season, it’ll make the world of difference.
