Senior Mental Health
Advice, information and support for family caregivers who are either providing hands-on care or making long-term care decisions concerning an older adults mental health.
Healthy aging involves more than remaining disease free. Common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and other mood disorders can have a negative impact on overall well-being for young and old alike. Mental health issues in older adults are not a normal part of aging. Moreso, these conditions are particulary impactful in the older population, because they often interfere with a senior's desire to seek treatment for other age-related issues. Although the CDC reports that over 20 percent of older adults experience mental health issues, the good news is mental health conditions are treatable.
To learn more about senior mental health, browse expert articles for information and resources as well as personal stories written by caregivers who share their own experience coping with mental health problems in the elderly. Find help and support in the caregiver forum from the shared wisdom of other caregivers. Whether you need answers to a specific question or just want to participate in discussions with those who understand, AgingCare can help you throughout the journey of caring for a senior with mental health issues.
Mental Health Articles
Understanding Mental Health Issues in Seniors
The diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in the elderly is challenging yet critical. Increasing awareness of the unique relationship between aging and psychiatric disorders helps us work toward improving mental health for older adults.
10 CommentsGeriatric Psychiatrists: How Can We Help You?
What is a geriatric psychiatrist and how can they help caregivers and seniors? Caring for older adults requires a special understanding of their physical, social, and mental health needs.
57 CommentsHow to Spot the Warning Signs of Elderly Depression
Depression is common in seniors, but it is not a normal part of aging. If you suspect an elderly loved one is suffering from depression, look for these symptoms.
13 CommentsAnxiety, Hoarding and OCD in the Elderly
Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress, but when a senior’s fears, worries and coping mechanisms negatively affect their daily activities, relationships and quality of life, it crosses over into a serious mental health condition.
7 CommentsHow Caregiving Can Affect Your Physical and Mental Health
Providing care for a senior can be very rewarding, but without a balanced care plan and regular respite, family caregivers risk developing serious mental and physical health problems of their own.
12 Comments
Mental Health Questions
Has anyone heard of anyone losing their mind and not getting it back due to caregiving??
7 AnswersHow do you heal after almost a lifetime of difficult care and demands from your older, mentally and physically unhealthy parents?
26 AnswersFarFarAway Replied 5 min agoI find myself AGAIN at this terrible juncture: my sanity or mom’s care? It’s not an either/or set of issues, but sadly, here I am again.
16 AnswersCountrymouse Replied 4 hours agoHow to soothe and reassure a PD patient?
20 Answers
Mental Health Discussions
General topics.
3,129 CommentsCaregiving for a narcissistic mother. Do we do it out of love or out of years of guilt and programming?
1,449 CommentsLlamalover47 Commented 12 hours agoJokes needed to lighten our day. Enter at your own risk!
2,509 CommentsMakeadifference Commented 15 hours agoOn My Mind
3,250 CommentsLlamalover47 Commented 16 hours ago
