Are We Doing Enough for Older generations Mental Health?
What would your reaction be if you discovered that older people, like our grandparents or neighbors around the same age, also struggle with mental health issues? I, for a fact, was shocked to hear this, because my past self believed that the "older generation" only could face physical problems and that mental health issues were nonexistent for them, especially since many of them don’t typically acknowledge it. But If I were to go back in time, and educate myself about this, these would have been some topics that I would have especially stressed upon:
What does mental health look like in older adults ?
- Warning Signs that indicate mental health issues.
- Tips for assisting them ?
- Facts about aging brains.
Mental health can look very different in the older generation compared to the young generation. Some of the most common mental health disorders / problems in the former generation are - Depression, anxiety, dementia, loneliness amongst others. And as the older generations age, their brains tend to shrink more and more – even though this is considered to be a natural process, it does take a toll on their mental health.
So the best that we can do in order to support them in these situations is to first look at the warning signs:
Changes in sleeping patterns.
Extensive impairments in their memory.
Sudden social withdrawal (can happen with friends, family, relatives).
Excessive dependence on substances (such as drinking, smoking).
Changes in their everyday mood (can consist of irritability, aggressiveness).
Feelings of hopelessness followed with suicidal ideations for some.
Tips for assisting them:
Firstly, educate yourself about the symptoms and potential diagnoses or issues your loved one may be facing. You don’t need to diagnose them yourself by searching for symptoms online; instead, focus on understanding the condition better.
Seek professional help with your loved one’s consent. If that doesn’t yield the expected results, communicate openly with them to learn more about their triggers and problems. If they are open to it, consider exploring alternative therapy methods as well.
Creating a safe and comfortable environment is essential. A great way to achieve this is by spending as much time as possible with the individual, taking them for walks or engaging in their preferred activities.
Although this time can be challenging for both you as the caregiver and for the person experiencing difficulties, remember to hold onto hope. It's important to avoid labeling them but to treat them with compassion and understanding.
Can also include some brain stimulating activities such as - Chess, puzzles, arts and crafts, yoga and mindfulness etc.
Finally, as promised, we have also attached some quick facts that you can easily understand about the ageing brain! Remember these and use them effectively when necessary!
An aging brain also takes much longer to process new information.
It affects neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, slowing thinking and processing.
The brain’s appearance starts to change a lot during aging, and as mentioned before it will hinder one's memory.
Just because your brain is aging does not mean that you cannot learn new skills. Learning one can instantly give one purpose in one’s life, and also helps in activating nerve centres in the brain which would slow down with aging.
I hope this concise guide has been helpful for all of you! If you or someone you know is going through a similar situation, I am sending you all my strength and support. It's important to create a safe and comfortable environment, and regular mental and physical health check-ups are also essential. Until the next blog post, take care, you wonderful human beings!
