Have Elderly Relatives? 4 Things They Need to Stay in Good Mental Health

About 16 percent of Americans over the age of 65 are clinically depressed. Signs of clinical depression often include a shortage of energy, inability to sleep, incapacity to concentrate, and a lack of appetite. If you think an elderly relative is suffering from poor mental health, then here are some things you may want to consider doing to help.

Get Them a Physical

Depression and other mental health issues often accompany other medical conditions. For example, it is estimated that about 25 percent of all people who suffer a stroke will end up depressed. Help your relative set up an appointment with their primary care doctor. Then, go with them. Make sure that their mental health is discussed as part of that appointment. Make sure that the doctor is aware of the seriousness of mental health issues in the elderly because statistics show that about one in five seniors has suicidal thoughts.

It’s also recommended to focus on their dental health since our teeth deteriorate as we grow old. If they don’t have a dentist yet, you can check out this one who does Invisalign and dental fillings in Lincoln Park.

Invite Them to Family Activities

About 33 percent of all people who lose their spouse go through a period of depression after death. While this may be viewed as normal, about 16 percent remain clinically depressed for over a year following the death. Loneliness can be a major contributing factor to depression for these relatives. Make sure to invite them to family gatherings. Providing transportation to a family event may encourage them to get involved.

Encourage Healthy Eating

Many seniors lack the desire to prepare healthy meals when they are depressed. You can have a wonderful day with your elderly relative helping them prepare a healthy dish for everyone to enjoy. Keep the mood upbeat by doing silly things like licking the beaters and having a little food fight. Enjoy the meal with them, and freeze any leftovers allowing them to enjoy it on another day. Get out your best dishes for the scrumptious meal.

Help Them Develop New Relationships

Many seniors find that their depression becomes worse when they isolate themselves. Look in your community for volunteer opportunities that they might enjoy. Take them to local senior clubs so that they meet new friends who are their own age. See if they would be interested in working a part-time job, and help them find one. Get them involved in groups catering to their hobbies. It may also be time to have a conversation with your loved one about them possibly moving into an assisted living environment like the retirement village in Queanbeyan so they can be involved with other senior citizens on a daily basis yet still keep their independence. With more and more people making use of the advice from expert regional assisted living consultants and building senior living communities of their own, chances are that there is one not too far from you already or, if not, one in the works for the not too distant future.

Mental health issues can be a huge problem in the elderly. Some can benefit from aged care where lively activities are always occurring, it is easy to make new friends, and there is a caring staff to make them feel pampered.