3 Signs Your Senior Parent Is Struggling with Their Mental Health

As people age, it is normal for the mind and body to go into decline. However, as people get older, even normal physical and emotional stress can become risk factors for mental illness. It’s important for people to pay careful attention to declining mental health in seniors, especially if they live alone. In order to keep their mind and body healthy, help them build a lifestyle at Buckner Retirement Services that can go a long way toward improving their quality of life.

Buckner Retirement Services offer luxury senior living communities in Texas. At Buckner, we offer a wide variety of services, amenities, and programs that ensure our senior residents can lead full and vibrant lives in their sunset years. Keep your senior loved ones active and engaged by joining one of our senior communities. Contact us at 214.227.7182 to learn more about what we can offer.

3 Early Signs of Failing Mental Health in Seniors

Older adults may experience more stressors as they age. Reduced mobility, health problems, bereavement, or loneliness can contribute to a decline in an elderly loved one’s mental health. One must be vigilant in monitoring their mental state, especially if they are still living independently. However, there comes the point in time when a move to a senior living community may be more beneficial to an elderly loved one’s mental health. Here are three early signs that a senior loved one’s mental health may be in decline:

1. Social withdrawal or a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy may be a sign of mental illness. They may find themselves too irritable to interact with others, or they may simply not have the motivation to participate in previously pleasurable activities.
2. Changes in personal care routines, such as not bathing or changing clothes. Alternatively, they may become too obsessive about cleanliness to the point that it is no longer normal.
3. Unexplained physical symptoms, such as muscle pain, fatigue, digestive issues, or sleep disruptions, can be manifestations of mental health issues. This may be observed as changes in weight and appetite.

Physical and mental health are closely intertwined, and a decline in one can cause a rapid decline in the other. In senior adults, this may result in a sharp decline in their quality of life. If these symptoms are observed, it is paramount that changes should be made in order to ensure the continued health of their mind and body.

How to Improve Mental Health in Seniors

There are many ways to improve the mental health of seniors, all of which are centered around promoting a healthy and active lifestyle that can boost and support their general well-being. Here are a few activities that can improve a senior loved one’s mental health:

• Give them as many opportunities to socialize as possible. Loneliness is common in seniors and can lead to severe negative consequences on their mental state. Have them join classes or gatherings that are geared towards seniors to provide a chance to make new friends.
• Encourage them to participate in volunteering. Seniors who are struggling with a sense of lost purpose may benefit from the opportunity to make a difference in their community. Apart from this, volunteering is also an opportunity for both socializing and physical activity, further increasing the benefits.
• Maintain their mental health through games and puzzles that can improve their cognitive skills. Scheduling a regular game night with friends and family can keep their minds sharp and their loneliness at bay.
• Physical activity, at any age, is not only good for the body but for mental health as well. Even mild exercise, such as walking or gardening, can boost mood and reduce anxiety. Consider enrolling them in yoga for seniors to further boost their sense of calm and well-being.
• Make the option for therapy and counseling available. A mental health professional can offer a judgment-free way for seniors to explore their emotions and cope with their depression or anxiety.

Ensuring your elderly loved ones have rich, stimulating lives is the best way to ensure they can age happily and healthily. Luckily, many programs and facilities are geared towards providing seniors with the services and communities they need.

Enjoy a Rich, Fulfilling Lifestyle at Buckner Retirement Services

At Buckner, we are committed to providing our residents with the services and amenities they need to live a healthy and active life at any age. We offer a wide variety of programs that are designed to enrich and improve our residents’ lives. If you believe that your senior loved one can benefit from our many lifestyle programs, contact us at 214.227.7182 to learn more.