Eva Kidane | Nurse Care Specialist , HumanaCare

Senior mental health is often overlooked , even though it is just as important as mental health is for everyone else . The relationship between seniors and mental health issues can be even more trying as individuals age and face increased difficulty with normal functions . Here are some reasons why seniors face mental health issues .

Seniors ’ mental health can be at risk for several reasons .

● Higher Risk of Isolation . Being isolated from others can lead to feelings of depression and other mental health issues , and seniors are at a higher risk as they age .

● Declining Cognitive Functioning . As we age , our brain does not operate as it used to , thus affecting how we process things , feel , and view situations , others , and ourselves .

● Impact on Overall Health . Isolation and depression can increase our risk of premature death . Turning to bad habits to make us feel better ( smoking , drinking , or overeating ) can lead to obesity , stroke , heart disease , and even suicide .

Multiple common mental health issues become evident in the elderly and senior population .

● Depression . Depression is more than occasionally feeling sad — it is constant feelings of anxiety , guilt , anger , shame , emptiness , worthlessness , irritability , or hopelessness . General apathy about life may also develop as a result , which can lead to suicidal thoughts .

● Anxiety disorders . Feelings of anxiety that don ’ t go away or that consistently get triggered in certain kinds of situations increasingly interrupt normal activities . Common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder , social anxiety disorder , panic disorder , and obsessivecompulsive disorder .

● Dementia . We are aware of Alzheimer ’ s disease , but several other forms of dementia exist as well . As a person ’ s memory deteriorates , it may lead to other symptoms such as confusion , personality changes , erratic behaviour , and communication difficulties . Some professionals prefer to classify dementia as a brain disorder rather than as a mental illness . But , despite how it ’ s classified , it can have a substantial impact on a person ’ s mental well-being . That ’ s why , when it comes to the health of seniors and the elderly , mental disorders like dementia need our awareness — even if they aren ’ t always easy to classify or talk about .

● Post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). Seniors who have seen or survived a dangerous or shocking event can develop this challenging mental condition . Long after the event , they may continue to have “ fight-or-flight ” feelings , especially when triggered by certain sights , sounds , smells , or situations . Even when they are safe at home , they can experience a host of symptoms that make it difficult to live a normal life .

● Addiction . Some seniors have substance abuse problems or behavioural addictions that negatively affect their lives . But , with the elderly , addiction is often overlooked by friends , family , or caregivers . Even doctors sometimes fail to diagnose addictions in the elderly since the symptoms can mirror those of other mental health conditions .

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