Aging is full of many changes, including potential changes in mental and emotional health. By knowing about what mental health resources for seniors are available, as well as how to access them, older people and their families can make aging a more joyous process.
Mental Health and Aging
Most people are aware that their bodies will change as they age, leading to lifestyle changes to promote healthy aging. What many people miss is that the mind changes too. Hormonal changes in the body, an increased risk of social isolation, being more likely to experience negative side effects from medications, and experiencing life events like loss of loved ones and changing physical abilities can all impact mental health while aging.
Mental wellness is important at any age, as research links mental and physical health closely. In other words, better mental health outcomes are usually correlated to better physical health outcomes too, in addition to overall higher quality of life. When mental health changes impact quality of life and daily living, it’s time to speak to a licensed healthcare professional to discuss treatment for potential mental illnesses.
What Mental Health Resources are Available for Seniors?
Mental health resources available for older adults and their loved ones include:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- AARP
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Circle of Friends® and whole brain fitness programming from Belmont Village Senior Living
- Eldercare Locator
- FindTreatment.gov from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Local senior centers and support groups
- Mental Health America
- Michael J. Fox Foundation
- National Council on Aging (NCOA)
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 ext. 1 OR text 838255)
Senior Mental Health FAQs
How can I help a senior with mental health issues?
If an aging family member is living with a mental health condition, the best action you can take is to schedule an appointment for your relative with a licensed mental health professional, transport them to the appointment (and any follow-up appointments), and help them get any medications they are prescribed.
You can also support your loved one’s mental well-being by ensuring their personal care needs are met and that they have regular social engagement.
What is the 3-month rule in mental health?
The 3-month rule of mental health refers to the fact that most healthcare providers require symptoms of a mental health problem be present for at least 3 months before giving someone a diagnosis.
What are the 5 Cs of mental health?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the 5 Cs are:
- Coping
- Compassion
- Connection
- Community
- Care
What is the best free mental health resource?
There is no single-best mental health resource for seniors, just the resource that best helps an older adult live life to the fullest. A local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) can help connect older people with mental health services in their area. You can find an AAA chapter near you or an aging relative by using the Administration for Community Living (ACL)’s Eldercare Locator.
All Belmont Village Senior Living communities take the mental well-being of our residents seriously, and help residents, their families, and their healthcare team work together to create a customized care plan that supports the individual’s unique physical, emotional, and mental health needs.
What are mental health services?
Mental health services are services offered by trained professionals to help people address mental health challenges. Services can include talk therapy, diagnosis, advocacy, suicide prevention, and prescribing medications.
How common are mental illnesses?
Mental illnesses are extremely common, especially anxiety disorders. According to NAMI, over 40 million U.S. adults live with some form of anxiety. Some experts estimate that up to a fifth (20%) of older adults (65+) live with some sort of anxiety disorder in the United States.
Besides anxiety, other mental health conditions among older adults include depression and substance use disorders, all of which require personalized treatment as well as compassion and patience from loved ones and caregivers.
How can mental health services help you or your loved one?
Mental health resources can help you or a loved one achieve a better quality of life by connecting your family to necessary resources to manage and treat serious mental illnesses.
Is my parent’s behavior a sign of aging or a behavioral health challenge?
The only way to tell if someone’s behavior is a sign of aging or a behavioral health challenge is to have them formally evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider.
Final Thoughts
At Belmont Village Senior Living, we know that aging affects everyone differently, and what fulfills one person may not do so for another. That is why we offer a wide range of services, amenities, and programming, so that each resident can access what they need in terms of emotional, physical, and social support, including personalized mental health resources for seniors.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only.