As our loved ones age, their mental health becomes essential to their overall well-being. During these golden years of their life, they also face unique challenges that impact the mental health of the elderly. It is very difficult to manage challenges with empathy and take care of the mental health of the elderly. In this blog, we will understand deeply about the mental health of the elderly.
–Importance of the mental health of the elderly- Good mental health for the elderly is an important part of their happiness and health. The mental health of the elderly directly impacts their emotional bonding with their family, friends and others. Mental health for the elderly plays a vital role in their emotional well-being, cognitive abilities and quality lifestyle.
–Some common concerns about the mental health of the elderly- Aging come with lots of mental health challenges, depression, anxiety and loneliness. Loss of a loved one can have a big impact on the mental health of elderly.
-Extra curricular activities- For the improvement of mental health for the elderly , they should engage in extra-curricular activities such as puzzle solving, magazine reading, poem or story writing or playing memory games.
–Seeking professional help- The mental health of the elderly can be improved with the help of professionals such as therapists, psychiatrists or geriatric counsellors who can understand their emotional damages and suggest solutions that will help to improve the mental health for the elderly.
-Engaging hobbies and interests- Mental and physical health matters a lot in the case of a loved ones’ happy life. Mental health for the elderly can be improved by engaging them in their hobbies and areas of interest. Their hobbies and interests keep senior citizens active and engaged.
–Safe environment- Mental health of the elderly depends a lot on being in a safe environment, as it gives them confidence. It is always advisable to ensure that senior citizens are living in places which are safe, secure and are designed as per the needs and wants of elderly populations.
-Emotional support- Listening with love and affection is an important aspect for mental health of the elderly. A close social circle can have a lasting positive effect on the mental health of the elderly.
-Introducing new people- Meeting new people is very important for the mental health of the elderly. It can open new doors for communication, cognitive stimulation and overall mental wellbeing.
– NGOs for the elderly- There are a few NGOs in India that dedicatedly work for the elderly. They offer loneliness mitigation and mental health services which can be immensely helpful for the mental health of the elderly. Through these programmes, NGOs enhance and improve the mental health for the elderly.
Conclusion- To nurture the mental health for the elderly, it is very important to begin with an understanding of the mental health of the elderly and then to offer them avenues to mitigate their negativity and replace it with productive ageing techniques.
Dignity Foundation has been providing senior citizens across India with various programmes and services which have been very successful in improving their mental as well as physical health.
