According to the World Health Organization, more than 20% of adults over the age of 60 either have a neurological disorder or suffer from mental health issues. Here in Southern Pines, NC, local seniors are realizing that mental well-being matters just as much as managing their blood pressure or soothing their aching joints.
Whether you’re concerned about cognitive changes in seniors, signs of depression in aging, or if you’re looking for family caregiver support, senior mental health services can help seniors and their families get through tough times.
Looking to learn more about this crucial topic? Read on to learn more about emotional wellness for seniors.
Senior Mental Health Services: Why They Matter
Most people go into retirement expecting rest, relaxation, and personal growth. While this is certainly possible, it depends on having good mental health. Mental wellbeing plays an important role in the life of older adults, as it influences:
- Senior relationships
- Physical health
- The ability to live independently
Senior mental health services stand ready to help seniors suffering from poor mental health address their feelings and live well. Sadly, many seniors don’t get the help they need.
Conditions like depression and anxiety are fairly common in later life, but they’re often underdiagnosed. Seniors might not get a diagnosis for these conditions for the following reasons:
- Lack of Knowledge: Sometimes, seniors might not know how these conditions feel.
- Mental Health Stigma: Many seniors are used to masking their feelings, even hiding them from family members.
- Dismissed as Normal: Sadly, many seniors and their caregivers mistake mental illness as part of “normal aging.”
Diagnosis is crucial because emotional wellness doesn’t just affect your mental state; it can have a significant impact on physical health, too. For example, according to BMC Psychiatry, untreated depression can make chronic conditions like heart disease worse.
With appropriate mental health awareness, early intervention is possible. It’s much easier to treat depression and anxiety during the onset, and rapid treatment also significantly lowers the chance of a mental health crisis.
Emotional Problems: Recognizing the Signs
If you’re a caregiver for a senior, you need to know the signs of emotional problems or cognitive decline. The symptoms of depression, for example, are not always easy to spot. Caregivers should look out for things like:
- Persistent Sadness: One of the most obvious signs of depression is persistent low mood that doesn’t seem to get better.
- Social Withdrawal: Depressed seniors might withdraw from their social lives, interacting with friends, family, and loved ones less frequently.
- Sleep Changes: Another clear sign of depression is when someone sleeps excessively or hardly seems to sleep at all.
- Irritability: People who are depressed are often quick to anger or take offense.
- Appathy: Depressed seniors might not seem to care about much, including the things they used to be passionate about.
As Verywell Mind warns, these symptoms could easily be misinterpreted as part of aging. While some degree of change is to be expected, if a loved one exhibits sudden personality or mood changes, it could indicate an underlying psychological problem.
Know the Signs of Cognitive Decline
You should also look out for cognitive changes. Concerning cognitive changes in seniors, might include:
- Forgetfulness: Some degree of forgetfulness is an expected part of aging, but if your loved one is frequently forgetting, it could be a sign of cognitive decline.
- Confusion: When seniors just don’t seem to understand what’s going on in situations that should be familiar, it indicates a problem.
- Difficulty concentrating: If your loved one just can’t seem to pay attention, it could demonstrate the onset of a cognitive condition.
Again, loved ones could easily dismiss these as just being part of getting old. Loved ones need to watch out for subtle signs of decline. If they’re left unaddressed, minor memory difficulties could easily develop into a crisis.
Consult a Doctor if in Doubt
If you suspect a loved one is getting more forgetful or if they seem confused or disoriented, you should consult with your family physician as soon as possible.
Conditions like depression can often mimic memory loss. To make things even more complicated, depression could amplify co-occurring cognitive issues. The only way to reliably distinguish between normal aging, mental health problems, and cognitive decline is by seeking a diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional.
Why Family Caregiver Support Is So Important
Senior mental health services can do a lot, but they’re not always available. Family caregivers play a vital role in memory care and mental health.
Caregivers track changes in seniors’ mood, mindset, and behavior. Caregivers encourage seniors to seek help, and when doctors make a diagnosis, they make sure seniors follow their treatment plans and get the support they need.
Caregiving is essential, but it can be emotionally exhausting. Senior caregivers often suffer from stress and burnout. In Southern Pines, NC, local organizations do what they can to support caregivers and their families.
For example, caregivers often work incredibly long hours, taking care of their loved ones, often forgoing all of their personal time to be there as much as possible. This is admirable, but sadly, this approach always leads to burnout.
When they don’t have time to recharge and decompress, caregivers will get burned out and suffer from mental health problems of their own. It’s important for them to practice self-care as much as possible.
Visit Our Senior Living Community
Sometimes, family caregivers simply can’t take care of their loved one’s needs, and round-the-clock senior mental health services are necessary. Senior living communities have trained staff and specialist memory care options, making them ideal for seniors who need specialized support services.
Here at TerraBella Southern Pines, we help residents improve their mental health with an enriching environment full of opportunities for interaction and emotional support.
Our specialized SHINE memory care services enable seniors with advanced cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s or dementia to live rich and fulfilling lives full of dignity and comfort.
Want to learn more about our senior living community? Schedule a tour and learn what our community has to offer.
