Mental health issues can arise for the first time in the senior years when older adults face new challenges. Your aging loved one might already have a diagnosed mental health condition that presents new symptoms. Professional counselors are available to help seniors through the changes in their lives, and providing your loved one with a counselor can help him or her enjoy a better quality of life.
1. Motivate Them to Make Positive Changes
Apathy is a common issue for seniors, and your loved one may sometimes take the stance that negative health issues just happen. Counseling empowers seniors to do what they can to address their overall wellbeing. Instead of simply claiming life has to be difficult, your loved one may begin to be more proactive about maintaining independence.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care. Richmond Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Learn to Accept a New Health Diagnosis
There are times when seniors need to reach a point of acceptance regarding things that cannot be changed. Your loved one might be in denial about a health diagnosis, such as Alzheimer’s, and a counselor can teach him or her how to accept it. Learning ways to manage their emotional reactions to health conditions puts seniors in a better position to take care of themselves. Counseling can also help seniors overcome stress that often occurs with a new health diagnosis, and counselors have techniques for stress relief that benefit people who live with chronic pain.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
3. Work Through the Stages of Grief & Loss
Elderly people often experience multiple losses in a short time. They can also experience tragedies such as losing adult children or life partners. Professional counseling gives seniors tools that help them work through these losses. While you cannot bring your loved one’s friends and family members back, you can provide a way to move forward.
4. Address Unresolved Issues from the Past
In a perfect world, conflicts from the past would all be resolved by the time a person reaches the golden years. However, many seniors are still grappling with issues that happened long ago. Long-standing family conflicts could reduce your loved one’s network of support. Memories of traumatic events can cause seniors to isolate themselves from others. Your loved one may not be ready to explore some of these issues with close family members, but he or she is likely to open up to a counselor, who can help him or her begin to take steps toward healing.
5. Practice Accepting Assistance
Seniors sometimes feel as though they’re being forced to accept help from others. Older adults who have worked hard to be independent are the most likely to resist having caregivers. Talking to counselors can help seniors see that accepting help is a good thing. Your loved one’s counselor can guide him or her toward ways to let people help. The counselor can also help your loved one develop communication skills that enhance the benefits he or she receives from having care provided at home.
Mental and emotional challenges are common for many aging adults, but seniors don’t have to manage them alone. Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Richmond, VA, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (804) 207-4746 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.