Many caregivers are required to help seniors who are struggling with chronic illnesses or mobility needs. While this might seem straightforward enough, it might surprise you just how many seniors end up struggling with their mental health. This is often a result of the grief that so often comes along with such big life changes such as the death of a spouse, moving into an assisted living community, or dealing with an illness or injury. For some seniors, mental health concerns might be a brand new issue, while for others this may be something they have struggled with for their entire lives. As a caregiver you might have even been assigned to someone specifically because of their mental health needs.
While there is of course specialized training you can take to best support a senior with mental health needs, especially complex ones, there are also best practices for how best to support a senior’s mental health so that they can hopefully enjoy their golden years to the best of their ability.
Not only is it important to protect the mental health of the senior you care for, but these tips are also a great idea for you. After all, it’s hard to effectively care for someone if you are struggling with your own mental health.
Therapy
Number one on this list is suggesting therapy to the senior you care for. Some people still have resistance to the idea of paying someone to talk about their feelings, but the research is consistent: therapy is remarkably effective, and, thanks to the interest, it’s more accessible than ever. Now therapy isn’t something that is only for people at the end of their rope. In fact, it’s a great idea for anyone who might want some help processing their emotions. Many people see therapists on a regular basis, whether or not they’re going through a hard time. Think of it as general upkeep. Just as you might get a regular haircut, or visit the dentist for a cleaning, a therapist is upkeep for your mind. And, something that is particularly important to tell the senior you care for, just like with a stylist or a dentist, you don’t have to stick with a therapist you don’t feel is the right fit. Many therapists and seniors’ counselors offer short complimentary meetings before an initial session to make sure that everyone is on the same page. So, if it feels like a good idea, perhaps suggest to the senior you care for that they check out Total Life, which not only has a wide selection of therapists available over the phone or on video, but also accepts Medicare, making the process easy and accessible for everyone.
Another great therapy option you might want to suggest is the idea of going to a support group. There are several different groups that are targeted towards certain issues, such as loss or addiction, but many cities also have groups that are just offering a safe place to share feelings with other people who can understand the struggles you are facing. For someone who is uncomfortable with the idea of one-on-one therapy, or who is more social, then group therapy or a support group might be a more attractive offering for them. Reach out to a local community or health center to find further information on the specific groups that are available in your area.
Community Centers
Since community centers were just mentioned, let’s talk about them! Community, or recreation centers, are great resources for seniors and caregivers to use. At these centers, many of which are specifically geared towards seniors, there are wonderful resources for community events. Some of the offerings at community centers might include conversation nights, ping pong matches, dances, pot lucks, and many other fun events that promote socialization and activity. Having a strong social network is so important when it comes to promoting a healthy mind, so encouraging the senior you care for to attend events and build a community is a great way to ensure they stay happy and healthy.
Exercise Classes
Some seniors are reluctant to exercise because they have never been able to find a type of exercise that they enjoy. However, as stated by American Heart Association, exercise is one of the best ways to maintain not only good physical health and sleeping habits, but also a good mental state. That’s why helping the senior you care for find some kind of exercise that they enjoy doing is so important. Thankfully, there are no shortage of options when it comes to exercise. Walking is a great form of exercise that the two of you can do together, as are any kind of exercise class, such as yoga, Zumba, and aqua fit. There are also lots of classes that are specifically geared towards seniors, so you can find something that is well suited for the senior you care for’s physical ability. The generally accepted recommendation is getting a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, so try to build that into your daily routine so that the senior you care for can live the best life possible. Plus if you join in on the exercise then you are getting a benefit as well! Those recommendations are for everyone!
Plan a Getaway
The New York Times tells us that simply looking forward to a vacation or special event can make us happier. The anticipation of something enjoyable can dramatically improve our moods leading up to, during, and, perhaps most interestingly, even long after the event has passed. Some caregivers might be hesitant to plan a getaway with their client or parent, but don’t be scared away from it. A getaway doesn’t need to be a weeklong vacation in Santorini, it could be something as simple as planning a picnic at a park that you’ve never visited on the other side of town. Find out what the senior you care for is interested in and research what resources are available in the community you live in. If the senior you care for is interested in the arts this might mean going to a play or spending the afternoon at the symphony. If they like history you could go to a historical site and maybe even plan a private tour. Researching where to go might even be a fun activity for the two of you to do together. Not only is a getaway a great way to boost morale, but it can also help both of you learn more about the community you live in.
Stick to a Schedule
Humans are creatures of habit, and we thrive when we have routine. This is especially true for someone who is struggling with their mental health. Northwestern Medicine outlines the many benefits of having a routine, and they are pretty extensive. If the senior you care for is having trouble with anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, then having structure to their day is incredibly important. Structure provides something to look forward to, as well as a feeling of purpose. Routine can improve our sleep health, and manage our stress levels. When there is no structure it can be much harder for someone with depression to get out of bed in the morning, but if they know they are going to get up and eat breakfast and go for a walk at the same time every day, it can make things just a little bit easier. As a caregiver, you can help support this by remaining consistent. Show up at the same time every day, and keep your promises. If you say you are going to help the senior you care for with a certain task at a certain time then make sure you are there to do so. This can help promote an environment of relaxation and trust, especially for a senior who is confused or easily upset.
Remember too that everything that you do that makes life better and easier for the senior you care for is likely to have a ripple effect back to you. A routine is relaxing and beneficial to them, but also to you. A routine allows for more time to relax, and can help calm the mind and body, plus, when the body is relaxed it is more likely to want to engage in healthy habits such as regular exercise and consuming whole foods.
Commit to Doing Something New Every Day
As much as humans enjoy structure, we also like novelty, so make sure to incorporate new experiences into the senior you care for’s daily routine. Trying something new can even be part of your regular schedule! Reading this you might think that this is something that would take a lot of work, but it can be something simple. Maybe the two of you work on learning a new language, and you commit to learning a new word to practice every day. You could also visit a coffee shop and commit to trying a different coffee or trying that interesting new muffin flavor. Even trying out a new route on your walk can affect the wiring of your brain in a positive way. Of course, you want to make sure that you’re introducing these new experiences in a way that works for the senior you care for. You don’t want to distress them by forcing them into new experiences they’re not comfortable with, but you want to make sure they still have something new to look forward to everyday. Even if it’s something small, it can make a big difference.
Psychology Today tells us that trying new things releases dopamine, which is known as the feel good hormone in our brain. It may seem scary to try new things, but if the senior you care for seems hesitant it might be worthwhile to have a conversation with them about what exactly they’re feeling. After all, there’s a difference between something being scary because it could hurt you and something being scary because it’s exciting and new. If it’s the latter then it might just be worth giving it a go!
National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging is an excellent resource if you’re looking for direction on how to find help for the senior you care for. Whether you want a recommendation for a therapist or a simply have questions about the aging process and how to best support the journey, the National Council on Aging is a great place to turn. It was founded in 1950 with the promise to advocate for older adults. Its purpose is to allow seniors to age with dignity and financial security, both items that are obviously of major concern. If you’re feeling stuck on how to best support the senior you care, NCOA is a good place to start.
Community
As mentioned before, community is extremely important for good mental health. As per the Mayo Clinic, friendships have many benefits. Of course one of the most obvious is that friendships can make us happy through good conversation, but they can also help other areas of our lives. Good friends can help us process traumatic events such as divorce or loss, and a supportive community can also help us stay away from bad habits, or encourage us into good ones, such as a healthy diet and frequent exercise. As a caregiver, not only is it important to encourage the senior you care for to engage with and build their community, but it’s a good idea for you to get to know their community as well, after all, you’re part of it! Part of being someone’s support network is being able to work together with others to support a person when they’re in need, so it’s helpful if you have pre-existing relationships with the friends and family of the senior you care for so you can reach out to them if you have the need to. If the senior you care for is struggling with their mental health then a support network is absolutely crucial, and you never want to be scrambling for a family member’s number in the middle of working through a crisis. Of course, the hope is that you’re never at that point, but it’s always good to be prepared, just in case. And regardless, it’s always nice for someone when everyone who cares about them knows each other and are on good terms.
There is no one right way to be a supportive caregiver, but these tips are a good starting place. One of the best things you can do for the senior you care for is simply to listen to them to find out what they need. Chances are they already know what will make them feel good, they just might need someone to come along who really hears them, and that could be you
