The elderly population often takes the backseat when it comes to caring for their mental well-being, even though one in four older adults suffers from mental disorders like depression, anxiety, or dementia.
All these mood issues and cognitive impairment can also compromise the quality of their treatment for other chronic disorders; that’s why it’s important to provide social support to senior citizens to age gracefully and maintain a healthy mind frame as time moves forward.
3 Ways to Boost Mental Health in Seniors
Tip #1: Keep the Mind Active by Playing Games
Seniors left to their own devices without any form of mental stimulation can suffer from cognitive decline, leading to a host of problems such as mood swings, anxiety, and depression. But just like our physical body, the mind needs exercise to stay healthy and sharp.
The good news is that seniors can improve their short-term memory, processing speed, reaction time, and general thinking skills by engaging in the following activities:
- Reading
- Writing
- Learning a new language
- Playing an instrument
- Playing puzzles, board games, or problem-solving games
Tip #2: Stay on Top of Physical Health by Doing Low-Impact Exercises
Playing mental games can help keep the brain fit for thinking, but the body needs to stay active, too, since it also directly influences one’s mood and self-esteem. After all, old age doesn’t have to get in the way of their fitness goals, so staying on track with low-impact routines can already help them manage stress and prevent depression.
Aside from bringing happiness by stimulating endorphins, something as simple as a light exercise can do wonders for mitigating age-related issues like joint pain, bone decay, and more. Even taking a light walk every morning with a few stretches in between can help bring the mind and body at peace, allowing seniors to lead swell life and embrace a positive disposition.
Tip #3: Stay Connected with Loved Ones
The two tips above focus on improving physical and mental health, but what about matters of the heart?
People often go through different journies in their life, but it’s the meaningful connections they make along the way that make everyone’s story colorful and worthwhile.
Senior citizens can feel young at heart when they can continue to make friends, allowing them to feel part of a community. The life of the elderly can be a lonely venture, so helping them keep in touch with their loved ones can do wonders for keeping their hearts full.
The Bottom Line: Helping Senior Citizens Achieve Mental Wellness and Inner Peace
People nowadays are in a constant state of a rush as responsibilities pile up one after the other, but all the stressors and fast-paced lifestyles can take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. Seniors have it tougher at times since they’re also juggling multiple chronic conditions and fighting the steady decline of their physical wellness.
The tips above should help your senior family members enjoy life despite their struggles. Still, it’s even better to have professionals create an environment where they can flourish despite the challenges their age brings!
What Can We Do To Enhance the Health of Your Senior Family Members?
Your elderly loved ones deserve to live the rest of their lives in comfort; that’s why our professional caregivers are committed to providing quality home-based patient care so they can stay on track with their daily needs in the safety of their personal space. Get in touch with our highly trained clinicians and therapists today at (800) 476-0043!
