Mental illness awareness is a call to the increasing need to understand and address mental health issues in society. Private home care agency caregivers readily understand clients often face stigma about mental health problems. Additionally, many cultures place a certain level of taboo on mental health concerns, and thus, many people may feel shame asking for help.
Private home care agency caregivers are prepared to meet the challenges associated with mental health problems. They have experience tending to seniors suffering from mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia-related disorders. Experience and training have acquainted them with the diverse symptoms of these disorders and their management.
Common Mental Illnesses in the Elderly
The aging population can be troubled by a range of mental health issues. Frequently occurring challenges include:
•Depression: Depression symptoms in seniors are notorious for being underreported. This is because symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, and loss of appetite are mistakenly attributed to the simple fact of aging or other physical ailments. In older adults, depression—characterized by constant sadness and a lack of interest—can also be challenging to detect because social factors may render this population less inclined to discuss feelings in detail.
Depression is estimated to affect 1 in 5 older adults (Source: National Institute on Aging).
•Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders, contrarily, are defined by persistent worry, doubt, and panic. Among the most widespread mental health conditions in older adults, anxiety disorders cause restlessness and sudden, unexpected feelings of intense fear. Physical symptoms like a pounding heart, chest pain, and nausea can join these symptoms.
Studies suggest anxiety disorders impact the lives of as many as 20% of American seniors (Source: National Council on Aging).
•Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia-Related Disorders: Dementia-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, represent a significant concern for seniors. These disorders are marked by memory loss, confusion, and changes in personality or behavior because of nerve cell damage. Senior home care clients with dementia often experience mood changes, including anxious or depressive moods or apathy (loss of interest).
Regarding the prevalence of dementia, nearly 10 percent of adults ages 65 or older have dementia, with 22 percent having some form of cognitive impairment (Source: Columbia University).
Combating Senior Isolation
Care for the elderly at home can be complicated by loneliness. Loneliness, which affects up to 1 in 3 of the world’s seniors, can be caused by many things, including living apart from loved ones, lack of social interaction, and grieving the loss of a loved one (Source: World Health Organization). Some may even use social isolation as a vehicle to avoid negative feelings.
If a senior experiences loneliness, it can be tough to connect with others, or they may not know whom to reach. When people socialize less, they spend more time ruminating (dwelling on negative feelings) and worrying. Tied to anxiety, loneliness has been shown to raise stress levels and interfere with sleep quality. Loneliness, when connected to feelings of depression, can leave a person feeling alienated or detached from their loved ones, which heightens depressive thoughts.
In elder care, ensuring clients stay connected with others is crucial in helping reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Private home care agency caregivers can schedule regular catch-up calls with friends and family. Whether in person or via phone or video, chatting with a loved one reminds seniors that they are valued and not alone. Support groups, too, can help clients connect with people facing similar challenges. Volunteers help seniors maintain a sense of purpose and belonging as well as bridge them with the local community. Emotional support animals are another option to help seniors combat loneliness by boosting mood and offering companionship for the elderly.
Supporting a Loved One with Alzheimer’s
People with Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for most cases of dementia in the U.S., experience higher rates of stress, more significant memory loss, and other cognitive difficulties. They often have trouble understanding and following directions, handling finances, and making executive decisions. These behavioral symptoms, further complicated by memory loss and confusion, can make performing everyday tasks or movements difficult.
There are many ways for a caregiver from a private home care agency to support an elderly client with Alzheimer’s. Maintaining a consistent schedule for daily activities like eating, dressing, and bathing is absolutely essential in dementia care. Caregivers can use didactic cues like opening and closing curtains to communicate different times of the day. Additionally, they can plan activities that their client enjoys.
Communication is also key in supporting senior clients with mental health challenges. Caregivers maintain eye contact with clients and avoid sudden movements and tense facial expressions that can produce anger or frustration responses. They can also educate friends and family about the impacts of dementia in advance of visits, focusing attention on how it can influence behavior and memory.
In Closing
The private home care agency caregiver’s role goes beyond physical needs. Equally important for their senior clients is sustaining a nurturing environment to promote emotional wellness. The key to this process is that caregivers maintain clear, direct, and compassionate communication with elderly clients.
Vitally important as well is supporting a routine that provides structure and ensures a balanced diet. By reducing stress and promoting security and comfort, home caregivers can effectively respond to the mental health issues commonly seen in seniors.
