Talking To An Aging Loved One About Mental Health

Mental health is not just a concern of young people. It plays an essential role in a person's overall well-being. In fact, there’s an increased risk for mental health concerns among older adults because of the increasing rate of social isolation and loneliness among older individuals.

If you have an aging loved one in your life, now is the perfect time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the importance of mental health and how to have difficult discussions with those who may need help.

Why Is Mental Health Important?

Mental health encompasses many aspects of well-being, including social, emotional, and physiological health. A mental health condition affects how you think, feel, and react. It can also lead to physical and cognitive symptoms, like lack of energy, trouble concentrating, and decreased appetite. 

What Are Mental Health Concerns For Seniors?

Older adults can develop the same mental health conditions as younger adults. However, there are a few mental health concerns that appear more prominent among older populations. 

• Depression is a common mood disorder that affects how a person feels and thinks. Depression can range from mild to severe. People with depression can have differing symptoms depending on their diagnosis. Still, common signs and symptoms include sadness, fatigue, loss of interest in activities, loss of appetite, and body aches.
• Anxiety is more than the occasional stress. People with anxiety disorders have stress-like symptoms that persist and often interfere with daily activities. Anxiety may also cause headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and mood swings.

Tips For Talking About Mental Health 

Starting a conversation with a loved one about their mental health is often the biggest battle. If you’re concerned about your aging loved one’s mental health, consider these tips to start a discussion. 

Keep Conversations Intimate 

Discussing mental health can be an uncomfortable topic for many individuals. It can be even more uncomfortable discussing it with multiple people at once. When you approach an aging loved one about their mental health, keep the conversation intimate, either one-on-one or with one other person. A more intimate setting can make it easier for your loved one to open up. 

Practice Empathy

Empathy is one of the most important things you can show someone when discussing mental health. Your experiences differ from everyone else's, and how you react to situations differs from how another person reacts. Just because you and an aging loved one may have had similar experiences, they are not the same. Practicing empathy allows you to acknowledge your differences and see things from your loved one’s perspective. 

Don’t Try To Push Solutions

When you’re worried about something, it’s common to want to control the situation. There may be situations where you need to step in and insist on a loved one getting treatment if they appear to be a threat to themselves or others, but in other cases, it’s okay to take things slow. Your loved one may not be ready to seek treatment right away. Continue to have open conversations with them and remind them that you’re there to help them live their highest quality of life. 

Support From Visiting Angels 

Caring for a loved one with a mental health condition is not easy, and it’s not something you have to do alone. Our caregiving team at Visiting Angels is well-versed in assisting clients with various mental health conditions, including cognitive challenges like dementia. Caregivers can help with everything from light housekeeping and cooking to providing medication reminders and transportation to appointments. We also offer personal care, which provides clients with hands-on assistance for tasks like grooming, bathing, toileting, and dressing. 

Visiting Angels Jasper provides part-time and full-time care to help clients and their families with nonmedical tasks. We also offer respite care for family caregivers who need temporary caregiver relief. 

Learn more about our caregiving services online or by contacting our Jasper office to schedule a complimentary consultation.