Senior Mental Health

The diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the elderly is challenging yet critical. Increasing awareness of the unique relationship between aging and psychiatric disorders is the first step toward improving mental health care for older adults.

One of the best forms of “help” a family caregiver can ask for is social support. Knowing that someone acknowledges and understands your hard work can be the difference between success and caregiver burnout.

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.

How does a caregiver break the cycle of negative thinking? Learn to manage feelings of resentment, anger and guilt brought about by caring for an elderly loved one.

Many people associate end-of-life care with treating physical pain and discomfort. While that is an important part, complete end-of-life care also includes helping the dying person manage mental and emotional distress.

Caregivers desperately need to decompress and lift their spirits. One way to go about reducing caregiver stress is to teach yourself how to laugh despite the everyday challenges of caring for an aging loved one.

While it is often seen as a sign of weakness, crying relieves stress that, if left unchecked, can negatively affect one’s physical and mental health.

The heavy burden of caregiving can gradually overwhelm even the most devoted and best prepared individuals. Take a caregiver burden assessment to determine your level of burnout and find resources to reduce the stress of caring for an aging loved one.

It’s easy to get caught up in caregiving and let your own needs take a backseat, but your physical and mental health directly affect the quality of care you provide. Put yourself first by learning how to prioritize self-care and prevent caregiver burnout.

Most people are aware of the seriousness of fall-related injuries for older adults, but falling can also negatively impact an aging loved one’s mental health and overall quality of life.

Loneliness is an unfortunate byproduct of caregiving that exacts an emotional toll and can jeopardize one’s physical health. Take these steps to combat isolation and nurture your relationships while caregiving.

Being a caregiver for an ill loved one is extremely challenging, and many people are torn about accepting this role. Even those who want to help may not have the resources, abilities or desire to provide hands-on care.

If you’re looking for a new perspective on aging, tips for communicating with elders, advice on setting boundaries or valuable insights on dementia care, pick up one of these acclaimed books about caregiving.

More than any other medical professionals, nurses spend the most time providing hands-on care for patients and interacting with family caregivers. Here’s a list of six elder care insights that nurses share with family members who are new to caregiving.

Caregivers are faced with overwhelming stress and difficult care decisions daily. Finding opportunities to laugh and ways to incorporate a little humor into your routine will lift your spirits and bring proven health benefits.

Family caregivers often find themselves in high-stress, high-stakes situations where anxiety and depression can quickly take root. Left unchecked, these natural emotions can endanger a caregiver’s health and even be transferred to their care recipient.

Feelings of anger, frustration and resentment are all too common when caring for an aging loved one. Identifying how you cope with these emotions can help you devise strategies for managing caregiver anger in healthier ways.

By participating in a support group and interacting with one’s peers, caregivers can combat loneliness, stress and caregiver burnout while improving their mood and receiving personalized advice and encouragement.

Receiving the news of a serious diagnosis like cancer or dementia may cause a senior to consider suicide, but caregiver intervention and the development of productive coping techniques can help.

It’s shocking for a caregiver to hear a loved one state they would rather be dead. When an elder speaks about wanting to die, it may be a sign of depression, or it could indicate that they just want to talk about the physical and emotional toll of aging.