How do you think mental health problems occur among old people? Do you think there are caused from heredity or are they nurtured over time? There are lot of questions with regard to the occurrence of mental health problems among older people.
Harmony Residential Care Centers, dependable assisted living facilities in Ware Shoals and Gaffney, SC, see these as a major concern since most mental health problems are often a result of exposure to environmental stimuli. How? Mayo Clinic suggested that most of the mental illnesses are common among people who have mental problems. They may become carriers of the genetic condition but can be triggered typically by environmental and experiential exposures.
Older people are often vulnerable to the aforementioned factors. Why? Since they are also carriers of problematic genes, the external factors such as alcohol, nicotine, and drugs can be linked to the risks of developing the mental illness. Yes, life situations such as physical and emotional abuse are strongly correlated to possibilities of having mental problems.
What if your elders have lesser or no intake of the aforementioned substances and are well-taken cared of? Will they still have the chance of a mental health problem? Unfortunately, isolation and loneliness are often triggers of depression which is still considered a mental health problem. Mood disorders are considered prevalent among the older demographic of which are often underdiagnosed or untreated.
The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation has listed the potential triggers for mental problems in the elderly. In summary, these factors could insinuate its onset:
- Chronic medical conditions
- Physical disability
- Illness or death of a loved ones
- Malnutrition or poor diet
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia
- Drug/Medication interactions
Hence, you should know that if your elders experience symptoms such as a gloomy feeling that endures for more than 2 weeks now and they have become disinterested with the activities presented to them, there must be something wrong. This is why it is imperative that your elderly loved ones who have debilitating conditions should be taken cared of properly. They should have proper care in a residential care center in Ware Shoals Manor SC.
You have to know that mental problems are as important as any other physical problems. As mentioned earlier, mental problems are often underdiagnosed but actually, a mental problem is already a big category that needs to be repaired. Untreated conditions can lead to great loss of proper functioning of the body resulting in a poor quality of life.
As a trusted residential care center in Ware Shoals Manor SC, we believe in making your elderly loved ones lives be filled with happiness and satisfaction. They deserve continuous growth and enjoyment in life. They should be exposed to exercise and social connections that could improve their lives.
Unfortunately, some families think that having a family member with a mental problem is a shaming factor and ends them locked up in a room. Remember that isolation can worsen mental problems. They should not be locked up. Plus, regardless of history, mental health problems need to be addressed with proper treatments since it can be a major risk for older adults. This might worsen conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes.
Suicide is another major risk among older people. Growing old seems to let them feel that they are becoming a burden or having no purpose in life. This is why they should remain active and happy for most of the time of their lives. This group somehow covers the highest suicide rate in the country.
You should know that older people can be helped to have the same success as those younger people with mental problems. You might think that they seem to have weaker bodies and lesser possibilities for recovery. However, researchers have affirmed that the success rate of older people’s recovery reaches up to 65%.
Of course, medical treatments, medications, and therapies are not enough if you, the family members and friends, are not there to support them. Get the right help, give them the right companion, show love for your elderly loved ones with mental problems. Call Harmony Residential Care Centers, a steadfast (Assisted Living Facilities) – Ivy Grove Gaffney and Ware Shoals Manor, in Ware Shoals, SC!
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