Top 7 Emotional Health Issues in Aging Adults

At first glance, the senior years look pretty nice. After all, everyone looks forward to retirement. However, older adults are often exposed to challenging circumstances that take a significant emotional toll. Watch out for these seven emotional health issues that can arise during the senior years so you can take action to maintain your aging loved one’s positive perspective on life. 

 

1. Losing a Sense of Purpose

Once seniors stop working, they often undergo a period of grief over the loss of their roles. Grief may also develop if your loved one must give up a hobby due to health concerns. While this is normal, you want to make sure the grief doesn’t go on too long. Help your loved one find new activities, such as volunteering or attending a class, to renew the belief that life holds meaning. 

Many older adults feel upset when they can no longer take part in their favorite activities without assistance. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust senior care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives.

 

2. Facing Loss

Older adults are sometimes overwhelmed by the amount of loss that occurs at this stage of life. Your loved one may lose a spouse along with several friends within a short time. Keep an eye out for the signs of grief, and offer your loved one companionship and support as he or she works through recent losses. 

 

3. Experiencing Chronic Anxiety

Your loved one may experience anxiety, even if he or she never has before. Worrying about finances, health concerns, and household responsibilities all adds up. Talk to your loved one about the events occurring in his or her life, and help him or her recognize when anxiety is getting to be too much. Some older adults need to talk to counselors or take medication to handle anxious thoughts. 

 

4. Feeling the Pain of Loneliness

It’s important to remember most older adults spend too many hours alone. Check in with your loved one regularly to prevent him or her from feeling lonely. You can also suggest activities your loved one can do to make friends, such as joining a senior center or going out to eat with a professional caregiver.

For families living in Livingston, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

 

5. Trying to Manage a New Health Condition

A new health diagnosis can wreak havoc on a senior’s emotional wellbeing. Whether your loved one is experiencing lifestyle changes that are necessary to manage a condition or is worried about making a mistake, he or she needs support during this time. Find out what’s involved with managing the new health condition so you can provide continued support that alleviates stress. 

 

6. Being Frustrated by Changing Abilities

Seniors also experience frustrations when every daily task they try to complete is made harder by changes in their abilities. For example, chronic pain may make it too difficult to scrub the tub or stand up long enough to cook. Watch for signs of frustration as your loved one goes about his or her daily routine so you can make suggestions to overcome new challenges. 

 

7. Fearing the Loss of Independence

The last thing seniors want is to be a burden. However, your loved one knows he or she may not always be able to do things independently. You can alleviate the fear of losing independence by talking about ways to stay healthy. For instance, having assistance around the house helps your loved one avoid getting injured or forgetting important tasks that could hinder the ability to live independently in the future. 

Having a compassionate caregiver around can help seniors relieve stress and boost their emotional health. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Livingston families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Assisting Hands Home Care today.