Happiness is Key: Boost Your Loved One’s Mental Health
As we get older, we gain further independence from the stresses of work as we reach retirement. But, once you reach a certain age, maintaining a positive mental state can pose difficulties. Physical health challenges occur and as the ability to perform some daily tasks become difficult, mental health concerns become an obstacle.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, we’re here to discuss mental health in a senior care facility. Depression, anxiety, dementia, and other mental health issues don’t have to be inevitable parts of aging. As a senior care solutions provider, CarePatrol is doing everything we can to spread awareness on the severity of mental health in seniors. Continue reading to discover how senior care facilities can help stimulate positive mental health for your loved one and improve their quality of life.
Mental Health in Older Adults
Mental health affects not only your emotional state but your psychological and social well-being—how we think, feel, and act. There are a variety of factors that contribute to mental health problems, including biology, family history, stress levels, life experiences, and many more.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2022 mental health in older adults statistics,
- 6.6% of older adults suffer from mental and neurological disorders
- Approximately 15% of adults over 60 suffer from a mental disorder
- 7% of the older population suffers from depression
Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders in older adults are often under diagnosed. Here’s the good news: more than 80% of depression cases can be successfully treated with therapy, medication, or positive lifestyle interventions. So, where do senior care services come in?
How Senior Care Living Makes the Difference
Unfortunately, as mental health issues continue to increase, it becomes more difficult for some seniors to perform basic activities without encouragement. A large part of senior care facility services specialize in performing helpful mental health exercises to ensure your loved one leads a comfortable and stable lifestyle.
Senior living facilities provide seniors with a sense of independence while assisting in improving their physical health and encouraging beneficial daily habits. From social opportunities to artistic enrichment and spiritual services, the right senior care solution will offer a range of amenities and activities suited to a fulfilling life. Additionally, clients develop relationships with their caregivers, who can keep an eye on them and provide extra encouragement if and when they need it.
Activities to Stimulate Positive Mental Health
As you age, your brain’s cognitive reserve begins to diminish. It’s important to continually keep your mind stimulated in order to help increase and maintain a healthy mental capacity. Incorporating mental exercises into your loved one’s daily activities will help sharpen thinking, memory, reasoning, and processing skills. Here is a list of exercises designed to help slow cognitive decline and improve mental capacity.
- Puzzles
- Crafts
- Listen to music
- Write in journals
- Go on a walk
- Cook a meal
- Paint a picture
Prioritize Mental Health
Mental health issues can happen at any stage of life, but it’s crucial to know how to support elders to provide them a beneficial way of life. Aging comes with many challenges, but with trusted home care services there to help, it can be the journey of joy and peace that all older adults deserve.
CarePatrol: Your Partner in Senior Care Solutions
CarePatrol is a proud member of Best Life Brands, dedicated to helping you choose the right senior care option for your loved one. We take the mental health of each of our clients very seriously and pride ourselves on taking each case into consideration as we help you prioritize the best community for your seniors. Contact us to get started finding CarePatrol services in your area today!