It’s normal for seniors to experience stress, worry, anger, and other negative emotions, especially as the body goes through various changes. However, failing to control emotional health could lead to more serious issues. Below are some of the most common emotional health issues the elderly face and steps they can take to address them.
1. Emotional Eating
Poor emotional health can prevent seniors from eating the right foods. As a result, their overall health decreases. You can stop your aging loved one from emotional eating by finding out what is causing the emotional stress in his or her life and developing healthy ways to manage it. For instance, instead of overeating or choosing junk foods, your loved one can take up painting or learn something new.
Older adults are sometimes unable to cook healthy meals without assistance. In Albuquerque, senior home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. Social Phobia
Isolation is common in older adults, and it can have a negative impact on their emotional health. Seniors develop social phobias as they grow older because of limited mobility, cognitive impairment, or other issues that cause them to feel embarrassed. Helping your loved one find activities to participate in despite current health limitations could motivate him or her to stay socially engaged.
3. Insomnia
Having difficulty falling or staying asleep throughout the night can lead to insomnia, which affects older adults at a higher rate than most age groups. Increased levels of anxiety and stress are often the cause of insomnia in seniors. To address this problem, speak with your loved one’s doctor about therapy and other solutions.
4. Fears Related to the Loss of Cognitive Abilities
Aging may cause a decrease in your loved one’s cognitive abilities, making it difficult to do some of the daily tasks he or she previously handled with ease, leading to fear, doubt, and worry. To address this issue, help your parent accept that he or she is aging, and motivate him or her to commit to remaining healthy and independent for as long as possible.
5. Stress
The more stress your loved one is under, the more likely he or she will have difficulty concentrating. You can help your loved one manage stress that impacts language, memory, and thinking skills by keeping him or her emotionally stimulated, which can be achieved by playing brain games, exercising, and doing other activities that bring him or her joy.
Family caregivers often experience stress as well. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Albuquerque, New Mexico, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break.
6. Alcohol Abuse
Aging adults sometimes turn to alcohol as a way to feel better about their lives. Over time, this becomes an emotional habit that increases the risk of liver disease, hypertension, poor brain health, and other serious issues. You can address this issue by having a positive intervention and offering emotional support. You can also encourage your loved one to seek therapy from an alcohol counselor.
7. Anger Issues
Although anger is often caused by pain and discomfort, your parent may also be emotionally frustrated due to cognitive decline. The inability to slow the aging process could cause emotional stress that leads to anger. Helping your loved one look for the positives in life instead of focusing on the aging process may boost his or her self-esteem and self-worth.
Getting older involves changes in physical as well as emotional health. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust Albuquerque home care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she manages an illness and performs the daily tasks of living. To learn more about our premier senior care programs, call Home Care Assistance at 505-798-0800 today.
