Mental health issues affect around 20% of older adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, one-third of seniors don't receive treatment because of guilt or fear that it's going to be dismissed as a part of aging.
With a little knowledge and vigilance, You can examine your elderly loved one's safety and wellbeing and remain conscious of their mental and emotional health to ensure that they are receiving the proper care.
Are Mental Health issues getting worse as you the advancing years?
Mental illness isn't a normal aspect of aging. Actually, mental health problems are more prevalent among younger people than those who are older according to the National Institute of Mental Health. However, older adults are more likely to seek treatment.
The most prevalent psychiatric illness in the elderly population is severe cognitive impairment, also known as the condition known as dementia. Five million people aged 65 and over -- about 10% of seniors suffer from Alzheimer's disease according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Depression as well as mood problems affects as much as 5% of senior citizens over 65 and as high as 13.5 percent of seniors receiving home health care or receive hospitalization according to the CDC. It is alarming that these conditions often are not diagnosed and treated.
Anxiety disorders are often associated with depression. They encompass a variety of conditions, ranging from hoarding disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder to phobias or post-traumatic stress syndrome. About 8% of people over 60 have had anxiety disorder at some time throughout their lifetime, according to the CDC.
Factors that Increase the Risk of Mental Problems in Older Adults
Stress is a part of life for everybody else, however, the usual physical and emotional tensions that come with ageing can become the cause of mental illness. It's crucial to pay careful care to your loved one's mental health, particularly when they live alone or aren't socializing regularly as they once used to.
A variety of triggers could be involved in mental illness among the elderly According to World Health Organization and the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation. They include:
- Substance abuse or alcohol
- A disease that causes dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's disease)
- The loss or illness of loved ones
- Long-term disease (e.g. cancer or heart disease)
- Chronic pain
- Interactions between medications
- Physical impairment or loss of mobility
- Physical ailments that affect emotions, memory, and thinking
- Poor diet or malnutrition
Examining the Mental Health of Older Adults
One of the challenges when it comes to diagnosing and managing mental illness in older adults is that older people are more likely to experience physical symptoms than psychiatric issues. Indeed, many senior citizens might not be aware of their own mental health concerns. This is the reason why it is recommended that the American Psychiatric Association advises family members to seek advice from a professional when they suspect that their elderly loved one is suffering from mental health issues.
Check these five area to figure out if an appointment with a doctor for your loved one is appropriate:
- Activities for self-care and daily life like dressing, cooking meals, or calling the phone
- Safety, including financial security and driving
- Physical health, which includes discomfort or pain and hospitalizations or the loss of appetite
- Brain health and mood can be affected by feelings of despair, a lack of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed, or feelings of loneliness
- Safety of medications, such as skipping medications, as well as the worrying adverse reactions or symptoms that are related to medication
10 Signs of Mental Illness among the Older
It's crucial to pay attention when visiting your loved ones to detect the signs that they may require help. As your loved one gets older is normal for changes to happen. Sometimes, forgetfulness is normal but chronic cognitive loss (or the loss of memory could be a serious issue.
It's the same for severe anxiety or long-term depression. The caregivers must keep an eye for these warning signs that might indicate an issue with mental health:
- Dress or appearance changes or issues with keeping the yard or home
- Disorientation, confusion, or other issues with concentration or making decisions
- Increase or decrease in appetite or weight gain
- A depressed mood that lasts longer than two weeks
- Feelings of utter worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, helplessness; and thoughts of suicide
- Memory loss, mainly new or temporary memory issues
- Physical ailments that cannot be explained, such as aches or constipation.
- Social withdrawal or loss of interest in the things which used to be fun
- Problems with managing finances or dealing with numbers
- Inexplicably fatigued, energy loss, or changes in sleep
Do not hesitate to seek out further help if you know that your loved ones are experiencing any of the above symptoms. Your family physician is an excellent resource, to begin with.
Sources
World Health Organization. "Mental Health of Older Adults. "
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Depression is Not a Normal Part of Growing Older. "
National Institute of Mental Health. "Mental Illness. "
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