Mental health plays an essential role in overall wellbeing and quality of life as we age. Living with mental health issues is not uncommon, with nearly 7 out of 10 Australians over 65 years of age affected.

Mental health issues can be debilitating. Conditions like depression, anxiety, nervousness or psychological distress can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and physical pain and distress, all of which severely compromise quality of life.

There’s no one set path that leads towards compromised mental health. Mental health could be influenced by social, financial, psychological and cultural factors, including factors like the quality of social interactions and meaningful connections to others, a feeling of safety and security, and a sense of purpose in life.

Helping to maintain positive mental health in our later years is crucial in supporting overall health and quality of life, including:

1. General wellbeing: positive mental health enables individuals to cope with life’s challenges and maintain a sense of fulfilment and contentment.
2. Cognitive function: the link between cognitive health and mental health is well recognised. Maintaining good mental health helps to support healthy cognitive function as we age, including improvements in attention, learning and memory.
3. Lower risk of chronic neurological conditions: research indicates maintaining positive mental health can help delay or even prevent the onset of mental and cognitive conditions including Alzheimer’s disease by promoting emotional well-being, reducing stress and improving psychological resilience.

Some ways you can improve your mental health include:

1. Daily physical exercise – a physically active lifestyle promotes positive mental wellbeing through neurological adaptations and improved mental functioning. Positive mental health supports making healthier behaviour choices, such as sleep and rest patterns, nutritional and eating habits, and keeping physically active. Physical activity is also linked to reduced stress levels and decreased rates of chronic conditions, which helps to maintain positive mental wellbeing.
2. Maintaining and creating new social connections – this plays an important role in ageing. Loneliness and living with social isolation are linked to mental health issues like depression, which severely impacts quality of life, safety and security in older people.

To help an ageing loved one with their mental health first obtain medical or professional advice to get the right supports in place. There are also several effective strategies that carers and family can implement at any time to improve the quality of life and mental health for older loved ones, including:

1. Encourage social engagement: Help to foster participation in community activities such as card games, arts and crafts, or special outings organised by local senior citizen clubs, or organisations to keep socially connected and engaged. Joining clubs or doing volunteer work are also rewarding and help maintain healthy social connections and a sense of belonging. Such programs help promote the formation of new friendships that can be both stimulating and positive.
2. Provide opportunities for physical activity: Australian Activity Guidelines recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day and maintaining an active life through activities of daily living, such as gardening. Finding local group exercise classes can be a good way to promote social engagement while exercising.
3. Foster meaningful relationships: It’s important and valuable for seniors to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with family, friends, and close connections. Encourage them to stay in touch with loved ones by organising phone calls, video chats, or visits.
4. Promote healthy lifestyle choices: Help your loved ones make choices that prioritise their health and wellbeing, including eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing health conditions. Share information with them on healthy living practices in a friendly, accessible way, and ensure they stay connected with their healthcare professionals for ongoing treatment, check-ups and support.
5. Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest research, news, and resources related to mental health in seniors, including through the Department of Health and Aged Care. Knowledge enables carers and family to provide accurate information, identify potential signs of mental health issues, and connect loved ones with appropriate support services.

Overall, positive mental health is crucial in ageing. By nurturing positive mental health, older adults can lead fulfilling lives, maintain their independence, and enjoy their later years to the fullest.

It’s not always simple to assist someone who is mentally ill. Frequently, they are unwilling to take any kind of assistance or to acknowledge that there could be a problem. If a first meeting doesn’t go well, contacting a provider that can assist you is a great next step.

Contact your local Pearl Home Care office today to learn how we can support you in caring for a loved one with mental health needs.