Advocate for Seniors and Their Mental Health
Author: Debbie Humphrey
The stigma that surrounds mental health is slowly diminishing thanks to celebrities, athletes, and actors who are sharing their own experiences. People like Adele, Lady Gaga, Dwayne Johnson, Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, and Prince Harry, to name a few, have used their public platforms to advocate for mental health as they directly faced mental conflicts of their own.
Unfortunately, common citizens without celebrity status often lack the support needed to recognize their own mental health conditions, and they frequently neglect to seek help without the guidance of a family member, friend, or advocate.
An advocate is “one who pleads the cause of another.”
Seniors are more likely to respond favorably to family members and friends who are actively involved in their lives and concerned about their mental health, and they can be considered advocates.
As a Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Dementia Practitioner at Home Helpers, I am all in as an advocate for seniors every day. Because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I strongly encourage you to advocate for seniors and their mental health if you notice changes in their lifestyle or behaviors that concern you.
The American Psychology Association (APA) acknowledges, “Psychologists are studying and treating the mental and behavioral problems associated with growing old, such as the loss of a spouse, loss of mobility and independence, admittance to a long-term care facility, and declining physical and sometimes mental health.”
The APA says some of the mental health challenges facing America’s aging population include:
Mental Health Concerns – Mental health concerns carry with them a stigma that may inhibit seniors from accessing professional help. Aside from that, funding for and costs of mental health services is a factor, as well as denial of mental health challenges, access to mental health services, and a genuine lack of geriatric mental health service providers.
The APA added, “Fear, distress, anger, stress, social support and relaxation have been shown to influence immune and cardiac functions, susceptibility to infection, pain, asthma and recovery from surgery.”
Depression and Suicide – As in the case of Naomi Judd, the APA cites, “As many as 20 percent of older adults and up to 37 percent of nursing home residents suffer from depression, a condition that may lead to suicide.”
Seniors have the highest rate of suicide of any age group. This may be due to depression being undiagnosed because it coincides with underlying medical conditions. It may be because medical doctors see life events like the loss of a spouse as normal occurrences of aging. Regardless of the reason, the APA says three-fourths of seniors who choose to end their life have seen their physician within the prior month, and I find this stat to be stunning.
If you or a senior you know is experiencing suicidal behaviors or emotional distress, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia – “Dementia, the irreversible deterioration of intellectual ability — often accompanied by emotional disturbances — afflicts as many as 7 percent of Americans over the age of 65 and 30 percent over age 85. People with dementia often suffer from depression, paranoia, and anxiety. Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia, affects between 2.6 to 4.5 million Americans aged 65 and over. It affects 12 million people worldwide, and this number is expected to increase to more than 22 million people by 2025. In fact, the number of Alzheimer's disease cases doubles every five years from age 65 to 85,” according to the APA.
Substance Abuse – Alcohol abuse is in the top eight leading causes of death for older Americans. It leads to malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, osteomalacia, and cognitive decline.
“It is estimated that 17 percent of older adults misuse and abuse alcohol and medications. Although the majority (87 percent) of older adults visit a physician regularly, about 40 percent of those who are at risk for substance abuse problems do not self-identify or seek services and are unlikely to be identified by their physicians,” says the APA.
Chronic Illness – The APA states, “85 percent of older adults have at least one chronic illness: Almost 50 percent have arthritis, 40 percent have hypertension, 30 percent have heart disease, 12 percent have diabetes, 30 percent have hearing loss, 15 percent have cataracts, and 10 percent have had a stroke. Behavior including such habits as poor diet, inactivity, alcohol, and tobacco contributes to the onset of chronic illnesses, while other behaviors such as medication compliance, a controlled diet, and exercise programs often assist in the treatment and recovery (or remission of) chronic illnesses.”
These statistics are in line with what we routinely encounter with our clients at Home Helpers.
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) says, “The health and wellness of older adults is intrinsically linked to their behavioral health (commonly called mental health), which includes the thoughts and emotions a person experiences, and the habits and actions that a person takes during the course of their daily life. More importantly, it looks at how those behaviors affect an individual’s overall well-being and their ability to function in day-to-day activities.”
DOEA has compiled a list of local behavioral health resources to assist aging adults, their families, and advocates in receiving mental health services and remaining connected to their community.
St. Petersburg Region
- Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas County
- Staying Healthy Mentally And Emotionally
- NAMI Pinellas County (nami-pinellas.org)
- NAMI Pasco
- Jewish Family and Community Services Older Adult Mental Health
Tampa Region
Please remember, if you or a senior loved one is experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, isolation, or depression, please reach out to one of the local facilities listed above, or speak to your doctor. It is vital to seek help from someone.
A compassionate caregiver from Home Helpers can provide support with in-home care services that can make life easier and activities of daily living more manageable. I am happy to offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs and create a personalized care plan to help.
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