Mental Health: Have you been worried that your elderly loved one is suffering from a mental health disorder?

Mental Health: Maybe you have noticed they get really anxious during certain types of situations. You may have noticed that they seem to experience symptoms of PTSD. If you are worried about these things, you may want to start learning more about the mental health disorder risk factors.

This can help you to determine whether your elderly loved one has a higher risk of having a mental health disorder. If they do and they are exhibiting symptoms of this type of disorder, you or a senior care provider should schedule an appointment with a therapist, psychiatrist, or primary care doctor.

Certain Medical Issues

There are many medical issues that can increase a person’s risk of developing a mental health disorder. Some of these issues commonly affect senior citizens. If your elderly loved one has heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or Parkinson’s disease, they will have a higher risk of having a mental health disorder. If they do have any of these medical issues or others that are causing mental health symptoms, make sure you or a senior care provider talks to them about it. Your elderly loved one may be suffering in silence because they don’t want to be a burden to anyone.

Losing Their Independence

Did you recently have to hire senior care providers to care for your elderly loved one? Have you been helping your loved one with more tasks than you were in previous months or years? If so, this could be causing your elderly loved one to feel depressed. It could also be causing them to lose their self-confidence and have more self-esteem issues, as well. If your elderly loved one is feeling like this due to their loss of independence, make sure you let them know you only want to help. You aren’t there to take over. It may also be beneficial to ask your elderly loved one what they want to help with. From there, you can give them tasks they are capable of doing.

Mental Health: Losing Loved Ones or Friends

Has your elderly loved one recently lost a loved one or a friend? This could be due to death or someone moving away. Losing a loved one or a friend can be tough on anyone, especially the elderly. Most elderly people don’t have many people in their close network. In addition, the people they do have usually were in their life for a long time. If your elderly loved one has lost a loved one or a friend, they may be feeling grief, depression, anxiety, and more. It is important they get the help needed. You can enroll them in therapy or just be there for support. It may also help to have senior care providers go to their house more often for a while. This way, your elderly loved one can talk about their loss if they want to do so.

Mental Health: Conclusion

These are some of the mental health disorder risk factors that you should know about the elderly. When caring for your elderly loved one, if they have these risk factors and exhibit mental health symptoms, be sure to talk with them. Let them know you want to help and will do what you can to get them support.

The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Senior Care in Suwanee, GA, and surrounding areas. Call (770) 965.4004 for more information.

We provide home care in  Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.

Sources
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

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Valerie Darling

Founder, Owner at Home Care Matters

Valerie was born in Miami, FL and after a few family moves, grew up locally in the Marietta, GA area.Valerie is the oldest of 4 (3 younger brothers).She is married and has one child.Valerie is the Founder, Owner and CEO of Home Care Matters.Valerie’s mom, Dee, is the inspiration and primary driver as the how and why the business was born.Valerie says, “My mom is never far from our thoughts.Mom was an integral part of developing and starting HCM before she passed away.Our goal is to stay true to her memory and continue to honor her with the love, values, and ethics she taught us.”

Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”

Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”

You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).

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