May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Remember when mental health was one of those things we just didn’t talk about? Thankfully, those days are gone. Medical scientists, backed by extensive research, have helped us understand how closely each person’s body, mind and spirit are intertwined. Mental health is crucial to overall well-being, and that’s especially true for seniors.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to talk about why and how seniors can benefit from a greater emphasis on emotional and cognitive stimulation.

Why Is This So Important?

Dementia causes progressive deterioration of cognition, memory, ability to perform activities of daily living and even behavior, but it is not a normal result of aging. Nonetheless, incidence of dementia is increasing worldwide.

Depression is “the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults,” according to the CDC. One in five adults age 55 or older grapple with some kind of mental health issue, most commonly anxiety, severe cognitive impairment and depression or other mood disorders. Depression can affect physical and social as well as mental function. Still, it is a normal part of aging, as Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us.

Getting Proactive to Improve Mental Health in Seniors

Knowing that depression is not inevitable can be uplifting in itself. Even better, many of the steps you can take to improve mental health also provide physical and spiritual benefits. Remember, all aspects of our well-being are intertwined. With that in mind, here are a few ways seniors can increase engagement, keep thinking skills sharp and add meaning and a little mood-boosting fun to each day.

• Socialize
  Loneliness and feelings of isolation exacerbate depression, but they can creep up on seniors as friends and family move away or mobility becomes more of a challenge. Making an effort to maintain long-term friendships provides continuity and shared history. But developing new connections can be even more rewarding, especially now that we can get together in person again. Seniors can make new friends at church, at a local senior center, by attending community events or joining special-interest groups.
  
  Our Magnolia Manor senior living communities really shine when it comes to socialization, offering a wide range of scheduled activities and meet-up opportunities for residents.

• Exercise your body
  Exercise keeps muscles, joints and bones strong. There are plenty of appropriate activities for seniors with or without limitations related to age or health. The goal is movement, but did you know that exercise is also an excellent way to reduce stress, anxiety and depression? A regular exercise regimen – especially if you take advantage of good weather to engage in outdoor activities – is also a great way to commune with nature as well as friends.

• Exercise your brain
  Just like your muscles need flexibility, your brain needs regular exercise to remain limber. Puzzles, learning another language, word and math games, even playing cards and board games all help maintain strong cognitive health. Doing “brainy” things with others keeps your communication skills sharp, too. And, of course, there is that invaluable socialization benefit.

• Volunteer
  One of the most fulfilling ways to boost your mood is by doing something to help others. Reaching out takes the focus off your own daily challenges, and it can give seniors a renewed sense of purpose that sometimes fades with retirement. Volunteering is often a social activity, and in some cases it can help seniors be more physically active, too.

•  Indulge Your Creative Side
  Artistic endeavors can keep both your mind and your hands busy. Woodworking, knitting, painting or drawing, playing music, singing, dancing, scrapbooking, writing . . . whether it’s a lifelong pastime or something you’ve always wanted to try, creative activities can boost your sense of accomplishment with tangible results.

• Ask for Help
  Since this is Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to note that it is OK to ask for help. Talking to a professional therapist can help seniors cope with specific issues, uncover sources of anxiety or depression, and learn ways to address them more effectively. These tools, in addition to the actions noted above, can help seniors lead happier, healthier lives.

We take Mental Health Seriously at Magnolia Manor

Our campuses offer outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy, and a calendar full of activities that feed the mind, body, and soul. We invite you to visit one or more of our eight campuses across South Georgia to meet our compassionate, professional team of caregivers and staff. We look forward to meeting you! Contact us today on our website or at 1-855-540-LIFE(5433) to schedule your tour.