Authored by Ishita Bagchi, Head-Operations and HR, Vesta Elder Care

As we age, the importance of maintaining our physical health becomes increasingly evident. Monitoring our vitamin levels and providing consistent care becomes paramount of importance. But what often gets overlooked is the mental health of the elderly. Many older adults struggle with memory issues, leading to feelings of loneliness and other mental health challenges. Therefore, it becomes of prime importance to understand the complexities that older individuals face as they age.

In this article, we’ll explore why focusing on mental well-being in elder care is crucial and how it profoundly impacts overall quality of life.

In today’s evolving time where advancement of medicine has shown a significant shift in demography. Life expectancy of people is increasing, leading to a rapid expansion of the elderly population. But as the expectancy of life is increasing, it is also bringing new challenges, especially concerning mental health among the elderly.

Here are some listed below:

Loneliness and Depression

A pervasive issue among the ageing population. As adults step into being older adults they tend to encounter losses which eventually leads to feeling lonely and isolated. And if left unaddressed, it can lead to a serious impact like depression. Therefore, it is essential to create an environment that fosters community, friendship, and optimism, as it can help them fight this battle of loneliness.

Decline in Cognitive Health

Another major concern that a significant portion of the elderly population experience is the decline in cognitive health. Conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia can have a major effect on both the elderly and their families. They not only affect memory and cognitive functions but can also lead to severe emotional distress. However, the impact of this condition can be relieved by stimulating their minds by encouraging them to have a social engagement and offering them emotional support.

Numerous studies claim that a positive outlook and contentment can reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Connection between Physical and Mental Health

It might shock you but the connection between mental and physical health of an individual is fundamentally linked and neglecting one can have consequences on the other.

For instance, if an older person is dealing with chronic pain, likely, they will also experience stress, depression and other such negative emotions. Similarly, if an older adult is provided with strong mental health support the older adult will likely be able to manage their physical discomfort better and show positive results towards treatment plans.

Role of elderly care providers:

Elderly care providers play a crucial role when it comes to providing extensive care to older adults. They must be a professional when it comes to recognising signs of mental stress in an older adult. Elderly care providers need to create an environment where the elderly dare to express themselves.

Access to Mental Health Services:

Having access to mental health services 24*7 is a fundamental right of every elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to have access to trained professionals all the time who can diagnose and treat mental health issues.

Conclusion

In today’s modern times recognising the importance of mental well-being in elders is essential. Our sweet and lovely elders have all the right to live their lives with happiness and peace of mind. By prioritising their mental health we are not only doing just a moral responsibility but also investing in the well-being of the society as a whole. It is on us to ensure that the elderly have a better quality of life.