Stress Management for Older Adults

We are often led to believe that once we retire, life will be perfect. We won’t have to work anymore and can spend our days however we see fit. We can dive into our hobbies, spend days watching our favorite movies, and simply appreciate life.

However, the grass is not always greener on the other side. In fact, many seniors struggle with mental issues. According to recent studies, 10-55 percent of the elderly population have varying levels of stress.

So how can you support your aging loved one? Should you look into personal home health care or are there other solutions?

We can help you answer these questions. Keep reading for some tips on stress management in seniors.

Stay Physically Active

Daily physical activity and exercise can help your loved one in a wide variety of ways. Of course, it will help with the physical aspects of their health, such as maintaining body weight, mobility, and strength.

However, exercise has also been proven to reduce stress. Physical activity releases endorphins in the body, which are natural mood boosters. They can also help with pain relief.

If your loved one isn’t capable of exercising, they can work with a personal home health care assistant who can help them with ambulatory and mobility techniques. This is ideal for seniors who aren’t capable of traditional methods of physical activity.

Consider Hiring Home Care Assistants

In some cases, seniors suffer from extreme stress and anxiety because they struggle to take care of themselves. As we age, it’s natural to become more dependent on other people.

Some seniors need minimal help with things like getting groceries or taking care of their yard. However, others might need help with more common activities of daily living, like preparing food, personal hygiene, doing laundry, etc.

No matter where your loved one falls on the spectrum, it’s important to recognize when help is needed. In this case, hiring a personal home health care specialist can be vital for the senior’s mental health. These include both skilled and non-skilled services.

Socialize

Sometimes, senior mental health can begin to suffer when they spend too much time alone. While many of us enjoy and rely on a fair amount of alone time, too much can be a bad thing. Humans are social creatures that thrive in communities of like-minded, caring people.

Therefore, socialization is essential for stress and anxiety reduction. Make sure you’re setting aside time regularly to communicate with your elderly loved one. This can be over the phone and in person.

In most cases, personal home health care can also benefit the senior in the social aspect of their life. The home health aide is a constant companion in their life and is someone they will quickly bond with.

Keep Your Mind Sharp

Finally, it is important for seniors to remain mentally stimulated. This plays a significant role in stress management.

If your elderly loved one is bored or constantly zoning out to the TV, it can eventually lead to depression. If you can, spend time often with your loved one in engaging activities. You can also get them interested in things like puzzles, arts, crafts, and other engaging hobbies.

Does Your Loved One Need Personal Home Health Care?

Are you starting to notice stress, anxiety, or depression in your elderly loved one? If so, it’s time to take action to ensure their overall mental health and well-being.

And if you can’t be everything your loved one needs, it’s okay to get help. Consider hiring home care assistants. They can help take care of your loved one’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.

We would love to help. Contact us today to talk about our personal home health care services.