Mental health is an important aspect of a senior's overall well-being. Still, it can be difficult for caretakers and family members to know the best way to support their loved ones. It's particularly challenging when dealing with someone who may be struggling with depression or anxiety due to loneliness, grief over a lost loved one, or physical ailments that limit functional mobility. Here are some ways for family members to support seniors' mental health, courtesy of Senior Helpers Chesterton.
Promote Healthy Eating Habits
Food is the cornerstone to better mental health. A diet full of nutrient-rich, fiber-packed foods helps boost brain function and improve longevity, which has a positive effect on mental health. Help your senior loved one stay healthy by providing regular meals rich in fruits and veggies, whole grains, and proteins to give them the energy they need throughout their day.
To help make grocery shopping easier for your loved one or yourself, consider signing up for a meal delivery service. This can make it easy for you or your senior loved one to prepare healthy food at home without having to leave the house or go grocery shopping every week. Also, support your senior loved one’s mental health by encouraging them to start an exercise routine (with the approval of their doctor). Exercise is a great way to stay healthy, and it also promotes good mental health.
Help Establish a Social Network
Isolation has a profound impact on seniors' mental health and can worsen existing symptoms of depression or listlessness. To keep your senior loved one engaged, encourage them to join social activities like organized group outings or local community centers that are tailored specifically to older adults. If engaging in physical activities outdoors isn't an option, look up resources and events that local senior citizens' organizations have put together, such as art galleries, book clubs, lecture series, singing groups, and more!
Connect Your Senior Loved One to Mental Health Professionals
If your senior loved one is already feeling the effects of mental health challenges, it's vital to consult a professional. Hospitals and local healthcare facilities have trained professionals who specialize in mental health care, and they can help seniors work through their feelings in a supportive environment. Senior Helpers’ Chesterton location also offers counseling services for those dealing with loneliness or anxiety due to losing a loved one, or due to transitioning from an independent lifestyle into assisted living.
Senior Helpers Supports Seniors’ Mental Health
By utilizing the above strategies, caregivers and family members can help ensure their loved one's mental health is taken into consideration. It's important to be mindful of the effects mental changes may have on a senior to keep them healthy and happy in the long run.
Senior Helpers Chesterton works with a network of senior care professionals who specialize in keeping seniors happy and fulfilled. If you are curious about the senior care services we offer in the Valparaiso, Portage, Chesterton, Westville, Michigan City, Beverly Shores, Hobart, La Porte, and Lake County areas, contact us today!