Aging and mental health problems are a silent epidemic for many seniors that remain undiagnosed. Many individuals over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer from depression than younger individuals. Symptoms of mental health conditions often get dismissed as a normal part of aging by families and even those within the medical profession. However, mental health problems are no less important in aging individuals than they are in younger ones. In fact, mental health issues can impact physical health as well. Emotional wellness is critical to maintaining good health in our later years just as it was during our younger years.
The Unique Psychological Challenges of Aging
There are unique psychological challenges related to growing old that most people encounter for the first time in their later years. Aging and mental health issues often manifest due to life transitions such as retirement. Work and social circles often give aging adults their identity and sense of purpose. When they retire, they can lose their identity. The social circles that were once strong may be diminished due to the loss of friends and family members, leaving them lonely and in need of human connection just when those closest to them are passing. Because of these reasons, seniors are prone to developing depression and anxiety.
How Mental Health Symptoms Present Differently in Seniors
Depression and anxiety manifest differently in seniors than in younger adults. Instead of sadness, older adults may present with confusion or tiredness. They may become physically ill due to a lack of social interaction without noticing it themselves. They often slowly begin to withdraw from others which puts them at increased risk for illness but also makes it difficult for their loved ones to catch the changes in behavior. In seniors, symptoms of depression are often mistaken for old age which makes it difficult to detect the real issue causing their pain. In addition to fatigue, withdrawal from social interaction, or confusion anxiety can also appear as a fear of illness, anxiety about finances or even worrying about being a burden on their family members.
The Cycle of Social Isolation and Mental Health
Social isolation can serve as both a cause and symptom of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety in older adults. Once seniors develop a mental health condition, they may lose the motivation to seek out friendships and social interactions which can help with their recovery. This can create a snowball effect—once they withdraw from social interactions, they no longer have those social connections that can improve their moods. They withdraw even more, which leads to further depression. If this becomes a common cycle, it becomes difficult for them to break free from their sadness and loneliness.
Seniors who live alone may find themselves without meaningful human interaction for days at a time. This disconnection from the world around them can negatively affect their ability to perform cognitively. Companion Care Services in Philadelphia and other programs in other areas of the country aim to provide companionship for seniors who may be suffering in silence without anyone to interact with. Some healthcare workers may not have time to sit and discuss life with their patients, but these services aim to assist them beyond completing chores, medication reminders, or other menial tasks.
The Mental Health Benefits of Regular Companionship
Companionship provides several mental health benefits that medication cannot offer aging adults suffering from mental health challenges. For one, conversation allows the mind to remain sharp and prevents cognitive decline. Companion care can also improve mood through shared experiences that foster joy between companions.
Knowing that someone will be there every day brings comfort to aging adults who may otherwise lose hope in life after a sudden decline in friendships once they begin growing old. Companionship alone also works wonders for improving mood when done on a regular basis. Positive interactions are an important aspect of managing well-being.
Companions are also helpful to monitor clients after spending so much time with them on a regular basis. They become guardians while the client slowly but surely develops a meaningful relationship with their companion. A close relationship eventually builds between companions and clients, allowing those companions to notice changes in behaviors or habits and report them back to family members or caretakers before those changes become detrimental.
Activities That Support Emotional Wellness
However, companionship doesn’t have to be solely based on conversation, although it plays a significant role in restoring mental health care to aging adults. Much positive can be gained simply by spending time with someone struggling with mental health issues in their later years. There is nothing better than shared positive experiences that foster joy between companions.
Activities such as working on a puzzle together or listening to music may seem like small activities but can foster huge accomplishments in an aging adult suffering from depression and loneliness. Companions can also walk them through difficult yet rewarding tasks such as baking or creating an art project together. It can revive these memories of when they were young and allow them to remember how those small activities brought joy back then.
Incorporating even small amounts of exercise into these activities may bring additional benefits, especially if done with others. Short walks or completing simple exercises with a companion can further increase an aging adult’s motivation due to feeling socially accountable without the crutch of accountability structures such as friend groups which may have disbanded over the years as they aged.
Cognitive activities also provide numerous benefits when done with a companion versus alone. A simple task completed together can provide supplemental motivation that positively alters how the aging adult views these activities. The positive emotions tied to companionship will help improve moods.
When Professional Help is Necessary
Physical companions don’t necessarily need therapy; however, the rewards of companionship don’t replace professional help for aging adults suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. Some situations require extra care beyond companion care.
This is where it is important for loved ones and family members to notice if an aging adult is dealing with issues that extend beyond temporarily losing their motivation by watching for signs showing it is time to seek professional assistance. Caution signs loved ones should watch for include severe alterations in mood; loss of motivation that interferes with daily activities; fatigue; consistent withdrawal even after constant companion encounters; irrational fears; destruction or changes in sleeping patterns; increase in forgetfulness; confusion; irritability; anger; and loss of appetite.
Creating Comprehensive Support Systems
This type of treatment works best if coupled with strong social bonds and behavioral partners along with proper medical treatment that usually treats psychological issues or chemical imbalances within the brain (Lichtenberg).
Social interaction keeps individuals in tune with each other’s needs which is why it is important for medication treatments and environments filled with social partners to exist within the elderly community dealing with mental health problems.
The best of these therapies combine professional companion care with medication as well as professional family care. The love is there but loved ones usually don’t have professional qualifications when it comes to providing these avenues for aging adults dealing with mental health issues.
Creating proper environments filled with resources takes diligence and patience but can help catch problems before they become fatal while simultaneously allowing transgressions or mishaps along the way. Regular human interactions may postpone or possibly prevent depression and anxiety in aging adults. Healing requires proper support systems put in place by loved ones both near and far.
Mental health in aging doesn’t have to decline inevitably. With proper support and regular human connection, seniors can maintain emotional wellness and continue finding joy and purpose in their later years.
