According to the National Council on Aging, a staggering 15% of adults in the United States who are aged 50 and older suffer from mental illness. That represents nearly one-sixth of the population, which is a substantial figure.
For seniors in Slidell, LA, navigating mental health disorders can be particularly challenging. Additional obstacles during your golden years could complicate accessing senior mental health services.
Are you a senior seeking assistance? Continue reading to discover the most prevalent senior mental health problems and how treatments such as senior therapy can enhance your behavioral health.
Common Senior Mental Health Problems
Mental illness does not discriminate, yet it can significantly affect different demographics in various ways. Here are some of the most common mental health conditions that seniors may experience:
Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, can cause symptoms ranging from slightly uncomfortable to downright debilitating. Almost everyone suffers from anxiety at one point or another, but for some, it can be a lifelong condition.
GAD is characterized by several symptoms, including:
- Excessive worrying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Ruminating thoughts
- Digestive problems
- Dizziness
- Intrusive thoughts
- Irritability
Some of the treatments for generalized anxiety disorder include talk therapy and prescription medication. Many medications can help treat the symptoms and provide relief, such as:
- Zoloft (Sertraline)
- Prozac (Fluoxetine)
- Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Anxiety can manifest in seniors for a variety of reasons. Major life changes, such as retirement or a spouse’s death, can trigger anxiety. Those with pre-existing anxiety conditions may also experience an increase in symptoms.
Depression
Depression can be one of the most debilitating mental disorders, particularly for seniors. Depression may manifest itself in several ways, including:
- Excessive sleeping
- Insomnia
- Loss of interest in previous passions
- Malaise
- Persistent sadness
- Lack of or increased appetite
Seniors may suffer from depression due to events such as:
- Major life transitions
- Death of a loved one
- Loss of a sense of purpose
Treatment for depression includes medication therapy as well as talk therapy. If symptoms do not improve, other types of therapy may be necessary.
Dementia
Dementia affects more than six million Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It ranks among the most common mental ailments affecting seniors.
While memory loss is the hallmark symptom of dementia, several distinct types exist, each presenting differently:
- Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia, this disease is characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain.
- Vascular dementia: Disrupted blood flow to the brain due to strokes or other conditions that affect the vascular system.
- Lewy body dementia: Lewy bodies develop in the brain and cause symptoms such as memory loss, hallucinations, and agitation.
- Frontotemporal dementia: The dementia primarily affects the frontotemporal lobes of the brain.
- Mixed dementia: A combination of two or more different types of dementia.
- Early-onset dementia: Dementia symptoms develop in patients at a younger-than-average age.
Hoarding
Hoarding behavior often stems from other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Many seniors tend to hoard because of loss or the feeling of a lack of control.
Treatment for hoarding may require the patient to meet with a specialist who can visit their home. Exposure therapy is often effective, involving collaboration with a psychologist to help patients dispose of items no longer beneficial to them.
In some cases, the transition to senior living can help hoarders. A smaller living space reduces the opportunity to retain worthless items, providing a fresh start..
Adjustment Disorder
Adjusting to life transitions can pose unique mental health challenges. If you are in a good mental state until you experience a major shift in your life, you may be suffering from adjustment disorder.
Adjustment disorder can manifest as similar symptoms to anxiety and depression. The most effective solution for adjustment disorder is to adapt until you are comfortable with your new situation or surroundings.
Types of Senior Mental Health Services
Accessing mental health services is one of the keys to maintaining behavioral health in your golden years. Here are some key resources for aging support that may assist you:
Therapy
If you have never tried therapy or have attempted it without success, it may be worthwhile to try again. Therapy can be an excellent way to address your mental health issues, whether as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other therapies such as medication.
The most common form of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. Your mental health professional will help you identify thought patterns that you seek to change. Then, you will collaborate to establish coping mechanisms that allow you to manage negative feelings independently and reshape your thought patterns.
To achieve this, your therapist may require several sessions to become acquainted with you, including your backstory and past traumas. Treatment time varies, but it will usually take at least several sessions to start making progress.
For a more cost-effective option, consider group therapy. These groups are often designed for individuals facing similar circumstances, such as grief or addiction. One advantage of group therapy is the opportunity to collaborate with others who may be experiencing similar feelings and struggles.
Memory Care for Dementia Patients
If you have dementia, you should consider enrolling in a memory care program such as SHINE® Memory Care at SummerHouse Park Provence. Memory care programs aim to help residents maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible while navigating their new normal.
Memory care also offers a safe environment where you can receive necessary care as the disease progresses.
Get Aging Support at SummerHouse Park Provence
Emotional care does not have to be challenging as you age. At SummerHouse Park Provence, accessing senior mental health services has never been easier.
Our dedicated and compassionate staff is committed to assisting you in navigating the transition to independent senior living, assisted living, or memory care. We offer valuable amenities aiming to improve the quality of life of our residents, such as restaurant-style dining, community gardens, and a library.
Are you prepared to transition into senior living? SummerHouse Park Provence is here to help with your Slidell wellness. Reach out to us today to learn more about our beautiful community.
