Steps for Improving Mental Health in Seniors
Mental health problems are a serious issue facing seniors and their families. Aging takes away many things that we come to rely on. For example, a simple act like getting up out of a chair can be painful for the knees and back. In younger days, this was easy to do without a second thought! Old age often takes away our friends, our spouses, and sometimes, our independence. When this starts to happen, you may find that you or your elderly loved one becomes more reclusive and depressed. What used to be enjoyable is now avoided. You can take steps to prevent depression from taking over your life. Having help from a professional in-home health care service is a great start.
5 Action Steps to Improve Your Mental Health
Don’t let depression driven by aging stop you from living life fully. Get started with these five steps:
- Take Your Health Seriously. There was a reason our mothers insisted that we eat our vegetables and fruits and minimized sweets and treats. They also knew that that playing outside was a good way to stay active and healthy. As you age, your body cannot respond to junk food and immobility efficiently. It can lead you to feel frustrated and even depressed. It is vital to your overall wellbeing that you take your health seriously. To do so, you must:
- Stay Active Physically: You may choose to join an exercise class geared toward your age group or look for videos online. Take advantage of good-weather days and go for a walk. The goal is to give your body opportunities to move and strengthen your muscles and bones, preferably 30 minutes a day, five days a week. It also enhances your mood.
- Choose Nutrient-Dense Foods: Cooking for one is no fun. However, depending on frozen dinners high in sodium and low in nutrients is no better. Give your body what it needs to feed not only your muscles but also your brain. It makes staying physically active a little easier, too.
- Fill Up Your Social Calendar. Now is not the time to become a hermit. Isolation can lead to depression and sadness. Find ways to get out and enjoy the company of others. Start with these suggestions:
- Take Up a Sport: Join an aqua fitness class or a bocce ball group.
- Share Your Love of Reading: You can join or start a book club where you meet new people and enjoy the latest best-seller or old classic. If you like reading poetry, you can find a poetry reading group to join.
- Share Your Hobbies: Craft, painting, pottery, knitting, can all be much more fun when done with others.
- Look for Community Resources: If your family is far away, consider joining a self-help group. Also, having a professional home health care aide stop by a few times a week for some companionship can be very helpful.
- Volunteer: Giving back to others not only helps the receiver, but it also helps the giver. By giving of your time and talents, you allow others to grow, which is rewarding and emotionally beneficial to you.
- Seek Out Counselling: Sometimes, you need a little extra help to get through your days and stay cheerful. Never be afraid to find a counselor to help identify triggers to your depression and ways to mitigate them.
Combat Depression Head On: Home Instead Can Help
Don’t let the inevitable process of growing older affect your mental health. It is time to enjoy your life to its fullest. Seek out the services of a caring in-home helper from Home Instead Hamilton. We offer various services to assist you or your aging parent, including transportation, cooking, companionship, Alzheimer’s care, and much more. Talk to us about your needs, and we will structure your services accordingly.
Call us at (905) 521-5500 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver, every day, to families in Hamilton Mountain, Downtown Hamilton, Rosedale, Kings Forest, Binbrook, Meadowlands, Ancaster, and Dundas