When it comes to older adults, mental health can often get overlooked. While physical effects of aging are apparent, changes in mental health can be harder to notice. Many seniors experience mental health challenges due to major life changes, chronic health conditions, or physical and social isolation.
Mental health challenges are a common issue for seniors, but it’s not a normal part of getting older. You or your loved one doesn't have to live with feeling sad or withdrawn, and help is available no matter where you are on your journey. Here’s what you should know about mental health in seniors.
- What Are the Most Common Mental Health Issues in Seniors?
- What Causes Mental Health Issues in Older Adults?
- What Are Some Signs of Mental Health Issues in Seniors?
- How Are Mental Health Issues in the Elderly Treated?
- How Caregivers Can Support Senior Mental Health
- Senior Mental Health FAQs
What Are the Most Common Mental Health Issues in Seniors?
Depression and anxiety might be the first challenges that come to mind when you think about types of mental health conditions, but they're not the only issues facing seniors. Common mental health conditions in seniors include:
Depression
With depression, you or your elderly loved one may experience feelings of sadness, irritability, social withdrawal, or a loss of interest in hobbies that were once enjoyable.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can happen on its own or as a side effect of a medication or a health condition. You might also experience anxiety instead of common feelings of grief after the loss of a spouse.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can develop after a traumatic or life-threatening event. Veterans may experience PTSD long after they’ve served during war. Flashbacks, anxiety, and feeling constantly on alert are some of the symptoms.
Bipolar Disorder
Older adults with bipolar disorder don’t usually have the same severe mood changes as younger adults. But bipolar disorder in an older adult can increase the risk for dementia and may have more physical symptoms like aches and pains, fatigue, and trouble sleeping.
Dementia-Related Conditions
Dementia is a cognitive disorder and not a mental health condition, but many people with dementia have depression. There can be an overlap of symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, and forgetfulness.
Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder, such as alcohol misuse, can cause mood changes that could look similar to other mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression.
What Causes Mental Health Issues in Older Adults?
Mental health challenges in older adults don’t often have a single cause. Instead, it’s usually a combination of physical, emotional, and social factors that build up over time. Some potential causes of mental health issues in include:
- Social Isolation & Loneliness: Being isolated from others increases the risk of mental health challenges.
- Chronic Illness or Pain: Living with a chronic illness or pain can take a toll on mental and emotional health over time.
- Loss of Loved Ones: Losing a spouse, partner, family, or close friends can affect how you move through your day independently, especially if your social circle gets smaller.
- Reduced Independence or Mobility: Loss of independence can affect your sense of purpose.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Unsafe or unstable living conditions such as being on a fixed income or a lack of access to healthcare can increase the risk of mental health conditions in older adults.
- Cognitive Decline: Depression and anxiety can increase the risk of cognitive decline, and, in turn, cognitive decline can worsen mental health symptoms.
What Are Some Signs of Mental Health Issues in Seniors?
Symptoms of mental health issues in seniors often look different in older adults and can sometimes be mistaken for normal aging. But these symptoms could mean it’s time to speak with a mental health professional:
- Sadness that doesn't go away or improve
- Withdrawing from others
- Loss of interest in the activities or hobbies you used to enjoy
- Changes in sleep
- Appetite changes
- Confusion or memory issues
- Poor hygiene or self-care
- Feeling irritable or agitated
If you or your loved one is experiencing some of these symptoms, contact your primary healthcare provider. They'll ask more questions to determine if the symptoms are caused by medications or other health conditions. If needed, your healthcare provider will refer you to a mental health professional who can assess your symptoms and make treatment recommendations.
How Are Mental Health Issues in the Elderly Treated?
Treatment of mental health issues in seniors can depend on the type and severity of the condition. Often, treatment includes a combination of several methods. Some of these methods include:
Therapy & Counseling
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps older adults change their thinking patterns and learn new ways of healthy coping. CBT or general counseling can be especially helpful for older adults by addressing challenges unique to them, such as life transitions, loss of independence, or grief.
Group therapy can also be helpful, even if you or your loved one has reservations about sharing struggles openly. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can help reduce that “invisible” feeling.
Medication
Your healthcare provider can prescribe medications, including antidepressants and antianxiety medications, to treat mental health conditions. Often, seniors may take medications while also receiving therapy.
It's important to be aware that certain medications can interact with mental health medications and increase the risk of side effects. The body processes medications differently as you get older, making you more sensitive to medications. Your healthcare provider may monitor you more closely for these reasons.
Lifestyle & Social Support
- Engage in Physical Activity: Walking, gentle yoga, and chair exercises can help improve your mood, as well as prompt healthy changes in the brain, known as neuroplasticity.
- Connect with Others: Maintaining relationships and joining clubs or faith groups may improve cognitive function and emotional health.
- Incorporate a Regular Daily Routine: Having structure to your day may bring you a sense of purpose and security. This can look like eating breakfast around the same time every day, going for a walk, and calling a friend.
How Caregivers Can Support Senior Mental Health
Family caregivers are often the first to notice when there’s a concern with their loved one. You can play an important role in providing support and encouragement—and recognize when it’s time to call a mental health professional for help. Here are some practical ways caregivers can help a senior with mental health challenges:
- Start Open, Nonjudgmental Conversations: Ask how your loved one is really doing and actively listen without trying to solve the issue or using elderspeak.
- Encourage Routine & Activity: Help your loved one follow a daily structure with regular movement, consistent mealtimes, and activities they enjoy.
- Help Coordinate Care & Appointments: This includes scheduling appointments and accompanying your loved one to doctor visits.
- Monitor Medication Adherence: Missing or taking the incorrect medication can affect cognition and mood. Set reminders on your phone or keep a calendar of your loved one’s medication routines.
- Reduce Isolation: Coordinate visits and phone calls from family and friends, and encourage community programs like senior centers for socialization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Mental Health
Is dementia a mental illness?
While dementia is not a mental illness, it can share similar signs with depression and anxiety, along with other mental health conditions. Dementia is a brain disorder, while mental health conditions are often related to chemical imbalances in the brain.
What is the most common mental illness in seniors?
Depression is the most common mental health condition in seniors, followed by anxiety disorders. While depression and anxiety are common among older adults, they’re not a part of normal aging, and many treatment options are available.
Does Medicare cover mental health services?
Yes, Medicare covers mental health services, including telehealth therapy or care in a therapist's office or clinic. As long as the care is considered medically necessary by your healthcare provider, Medicare covers therapy, as well as medications to treat mental health conditions.
Support from BrightStar Care® Can Make a Difference
Mental health is a critical part of aging well. If you’ve noticed changes in you or your loved one’s mood or cognition, take those symptoms seriously and seek out help from a healthcare provider or therapist.
BrightStar Care can support seniors with mental health concerns and help connect you or your loved one to mental health professionals. While our caregivers and nurses aren’t able to diagnose or treat mental health conditions directly, they can provide companionship and emotional support, as well as encourage medication adherence and monitor for side effects or changes in condition.
If you're looking for nurse-led home care services, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.