It’s easy to place focus on an elderly loved one’s physical health when he/she is suffering from a mobility issue. What is easy to forget, sometimes, is that an older adult is likely to experience emotional trauma due to his/her physical limitations. According to Chartwell.com, Statistics Canada says that although nearly 80% of older Canadians report good psychological health, mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety affect many older adults.
Here are three steps for bettering the mental health of seniors:
1. Pick up a new hobby.
There’s nothing like a little brain stimulation to get your mind off of negative thoughts. Stimulating your mind can often be as easy as engaging in a fun activity on a regular basis. Starting a new hobby is a great way to get your brain focused on positive thoughts. As SalmonHealth.com insinuates, an older adult is arguably in the best position to pick up a new hobby.
“Retirement is the perfect time for seniors to dust off their ‘bucket list’ and pursue lifelong goals, be it gardening, sewing, painting or French cooking!” contends the website, “Hobbies like shadow boxes help increase the neuroplasticity of the brain in which nerve cells connect or reconnect, changing the brain’s structure and function when stimulated through the repetition of seeing them.”
2. Keep in contact with family and friends.
It’s easy to feel alone when you are an older adult. This is especially true for those who have lost their spouses and/or live alone. You may be surprised to know how much your loved ones need to hear from you. You’re not necessarily the only one who needs company or at least a listening ear. Reach out to your loved ones via the phone, email, video conference or otherwise. Make plans to see people in person. It will work wonders for your mood.
Chartwell.com notes that the Mood Disorders Society of Canada states that “dealing with social isolation by getting support from family, friends, a self-help group or your community can be very helpful in overcoming depression.”
3. Start volunteering.
People who are in their retirement ages often find that there isn’t much to do around the house. As a result, they get bored and loneliness starts to set in. By volunteering somewhere, a person can greatly improve his/her social life. Not to mention, being a volunteer at a charitable organization puts you in a position to help your community. The feeling you get from helping others is sure to better your mental health.
“Many seniors find fulfillment and a sense of purpose in volunteering for a worthy cause,” notes SalmonHealth.com, “With no shortage of organizations and causes in need of support, there are many opportunities for older adults to get involved, and in turn, feel valued and needed. Seniors volunteering for a cause or organization can be a rewarding experience at any age.”
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we are committed to helping seniors improve their mental health. As part of our mandate, we offer a wide range of mobility devices and home accessibility renovations that help relieve older adults of the worry of hurting themselves. We always ensure that you have the complete picture to make an informed decision. You will know all of the possible options so you can choose which solution is best for you.
To learn more about our mobility solutions and how they can help to better the mental health of seniors, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page! We look forward to speaking with you very soon.
