Tips To Improve Mental Health in Aging Adults

Depression and other mental health conditions aren’t limited to only younger adults. It has been estimated that as many as 14.5% of adults over the age of 50 suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. If you are the caregiver of an aging loved one, there are some ways that you might be able to help them improve the state of their mental health through some of these tips.

Tip 1: Hear Their Grievances

One of the biggest challenges of mental health in aging adults is when they feel their voice is not being heard (or taken away). It is likely that they are already struggling with the idea that their child has now become the caregiver in the relationship which can already be contributing to a feeling of not being heard.

Tip 2: Pay Attention to Medication Side Effects

It can be natural for many caregivers to just assume that mental health naturally deteriorates with age but it is simply not true. If you notice a sudden shift or feelings of depression that weren’t there before, it could be a side effect of medication. You need to be vocal with their health care professional about these changes to see if a new or mix of medication is causing this mental shift.

Tip 3: Regularly Ask What They Are Thankful For

It seems like a small thing to do but when you ask an aging adult what they are thankful for, it can help shift their mood into a positive space. It can be small like watching their favorite team play football or watching the morning sunrise.

Tip 4: Create an Inviting Atmosphere

We find this to be an especially useful tip for those with loved ones that recently moved into an assisted living facility. If you have their familiar possessions around them (within reason) it can provide them with familiarity that contributes to mental health. During winter months, try to add to their lighting to brighten up their space. You can also get indoor plants to add to their living space which has shown to be a positive influence on mental health.

In the end, one of the biggest ways you can help an aging loved one is to visit them. Isolation can set in quickly with seniors so simply visiting with them can lift their mental health.