If you have an elderly relative that you spend time with and look after, their health, happiness, and well-being is likely going to be one of your biggest concerns. Nobody likes to see their parent or grandparent in pain or upset, but sadly, as people age, they might experience a natural decline in their health which can often lead to mental health problems like depression and anxiety, particularly if they are experiencing physical health issues that might prevent them from taking part in the activities that they would normally enjoy, or they are becoming lonely since they are unable to spend a lot of time with friends or family. Older people are often at a higher risk of suffering with mental health problems, and if you are concerned for your elderly relative, here are some solutions that you might want to consider, to help them live a happier and more fulfilled later life.
Remaining Independent
Many seniors will require some additional assistance when it comes to getting things done, but like to stay as independent as possible. Nobody likes to feel that they have to completely rely on other people for everything, so making sure that your senior relative is able to retain as much independence in their life as possible can help them feel fulfilled and give them purpose. An assisted living retirement community is one of the best ways to achieve this if your older relative is struggling to get the right combination of help and independence in their current home. Retirement communities like Brandywine Senior Living allow older people to live as independently as possible while providing caregiving staff on hand around the clock to help them with anything that they might need.
Social Life
Being isolated and lonely is one of the biggest contributors to anxiety and depression in older people today. Lack of treatment for hearing loss can lead to depression and social isolation among seniors. Age-related hearing loss is a common issue that can be easily treated with digital hearing aids that are rechargeable. If you are concerned for the mental health of an elderly relative, ensuring that they are getting enough social interaction in their life is one of the best ways to improve their well-being and happiness. If possible, you can do this by visiting them more often and arranging for them to spend more time with family members. But in some cases, this can be difficult when family members have other commitments to uphold. Joining a local club can be an ideal way for a senior to improve their social life and in turn enjoy better mental health.
Exercise
It is a well-known fact that exercising regularly can improve your mental health and mood, and this is true at any age. Older people who exercise on a regular basis tend to be happier compared to those who do not and will often live for longer due to the improvement to their physical and mental health that getting moving will provide. There are several things that you can do to encourage your elderly relative to exercise more, whether that’s inviting them out to go on more walks or bicycle rides with you or encouraging them to sign up to a local club where they can meet likeminded seniors and get together to do physical activities like yoga, water aerobics, cycling, walking and more.
Learning Something New
An active brain is a healthy brain, and for many older people, it is often boredom that leads them to suffer with their mental health. Encouraging your relative to go and try something new or learn a new skill can be a great way to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Older people who spend most of their time sitting in front of the TV all day or don’t have anything to stimulate their brains and invest their time and effort into will often be more likely to suffer from mental health concerns compared to those who do not. Encouraging your relative to learn something new like taking art classes or taking an online course that they can complete in their own time at home can help them stay busy and give them something to focus on, which in turn can help them stay happier and feel more productive.
Getting a Pet
For many seniors, having a pet at home can be a great source of comfort and can help seniors experience better mental health and well-being. A dog can be the ideal pet for older people since they are perfect companions who will look after your relative when you are not there and provide them with the comfort and friendship that they need. In addition, looking after a dog and walking it on a daily basis can also help seniors with getting out of the house more and help them improve their social life by providing a way for them to meet new people. Cats can also be an ideal animal companion at home for seniors who may have mobility issues that prevent them from walking a dog or need a more low-maintenance pet that can provide friendship and comfort to them.
Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
Often, one of the best ways to achieve all the above for your senior relative is to help them move into an assisted retirement community, which will often have everything that they need on-site from independent homes to social activities and exercise facilities that they can use any time they like. Moving into an assisted living facility can be a big step for your elderly relative but could be one of the best moves for their mental health and well-being. Choose a facility that is close to home so that you can visit one another on a regular basis. Check out the facilities and amenities that are available to make sure that your relative will be surrounded with things that they enjoy and new things to try. Consider all the needs and requirements, such as if pets are allowed if your relative has a dog or cat at home that they would like to take with them.
Mental health in the elderly can be serious, with many older people suffering from depression and anxiety due to loneliness, low mobility, and more. If you want to help your older relative enjoy a happier life and improve their well-being, consider the above.
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