Experts say mental health concerns are different for seniors

Undoubtedly, mental health has become a growing concern — if not an outright crisis — in our country, even more so on the heels of a global pandemic that placed tremendous physical, financial and emotional strain on people of all ages in very profound ways.

Yet many experts believe that seniors are affected by mental health concerns in a different way than younger folks. Why? Well, it’s complicated.

Today’s older adults are faced with a unique set of barriers to addressing mental health and accessing the care they need. Let’s shed light onto some of the challenges seniors face when it comes to caring for their mental health.

Normal aging

It’s no surprise that there are several factors and life events that can negatively affect seniors’ mental health, including:

• Loneliness

• Chronic illness and pain

• Medication side effects

• Loss of independence

According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, anxiety is relatively common among older adults, with as many as 20% experiencing symptoms.  However, to be clear: common does not mean normal.

When caregivers, practitioners, family members, even seniors themselves mistakenly assume that depression and anxiety are normal parts of aging, seniors are less likely to seek help and their symptoms are more likely to be overlooked or dismissed entirely.

No one needs to accept that living with anxiety or depression is simply the way it is when we grow old; if you or the senior in your life is struggling with mental health, know that it’s not only okay, but important, to speak with a professional.

Stigma

Stigma is a powerful barrier for seniors struggling with their mental health. Historically, talking about mental health has been a taboo topic linked to feelings of shame and embarrassment. For decades, mental health issues were grappled with silently and alone, a veritable “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” mentality.

While we’ve come a long way in normalizing mental health concerns (though arguably still not enough — but that’s a topic deserving of its own spotlight!), seniors are still much less likely to reach out for help than their younger counterparts.

One survey revealed that only about 4% of baby boomers saw a mental health professional in a given year (compared to 20% of millennials).

How do we get around that? Many experts believe the solution lies with the primary care providers who help their patients manage all aspects of their health. By receiving mental health support from their family physician who they already see regularly, seniors can dodge the stigma associated with visiting a mental health professional.

Critics of this idea point out that trained mental health professionals are better than family physicians at treating such concerns. However, maybe this is the starting point to overcoming the deeply ingrained feelings of shame our older loved ones feel about mental health — shame that is getting in the way of seeking the help they need.

Whether young or old or in between, we all deserve to live happy, healthy, and satisfying lives. Let’s normalize that in aging and accept nothing less for ourselves and those we love.

The Hickman is a senior living community located in the heart of West Chester. Guided by Quaker principles and traditions that value all life and welcome diversity, The Hickman offers individualized care allowing older adults the opportunity to enjoy a productive life and to explore the richness of all of life’s possibilities.