Helping seniors find the mental health care they need is essential for their overall well-being. Unfortunately, mental health problems are common in older people, and they often don’t get treatment due to stigma, lack of access to tools, or lack of awareness. By eliminating these barriers and implementing successful strategies, loved ones and in-home care aides can ensure seniors get the help they need.

Why Do Seniors Need Mental Health Support?

There are several reasons why seniors might need mental health support. This could be because they received a health diagnosis or a change in their health they weren’t expecting, or they may have lost a loved one or friend. It’s also important to note that seniors may isolate themselves as they navigate the many aging changes, leading to possible depression. Whatever the reason, seniors need support to push past their feelings and improve their mental health. When they feel supported, they’re more likely to express their feelings in the future and stay stable in their mental health.

Understanding the Need For Mental Health Support

Teaching seniors about mental health is one of the most essential things that can be done to ensure they get the help they need. This includes educating them and their families about the most common mental health problems, symptoms, and available treatments. Besides openly communicating about mental health, a few other things can help.

  • Routine screenings: Regular mental health screenings should be part of seniors’ routine medical checkups and can help diagnose mental health problems early on. These screenings can be done by general care doctors or specialized mental health professionals. With early diagnosis, seniors can better implement techniques that improve their mental health.
  • Seeking a second opinion: Many seniors go to their general care doctors for most of their health care needs. However, their typical doctor might not feel comfortable assessing their mental health needs. When seniors receive a referral to another doctor, it can be stressful. In-home care aids and loved ones can help by validating their feelings and accompanying them to their appointment if possible. By working with professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists, seniors can receive specialized evaluations, treatment plans, and counseling or services targeted for them.
  • Accessible and age-friendly services: With the help of the in-home care team, seniors can gain easy access to the mental health services they need. This might include helping with transportation or getting online to access telehealth services. The team can also research outreach programs and support groups to address seniors’ specific needs. With the right tools and resources, seniors gain the stability they need.
  • Insurance coverage and funding: Making sure that Medicare and Medicaid, or any other insurance plans, cover mental health services can make it much easier for seniors to get help. This can also be the thing that stops seniors from getting the help they need, so figuring out the insurance piece is essential.

Using the above methods, loved ones and senior in-home care can make significant steps toward helping seniors get the mental health care they need.

Source:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health
https://www.ncoa.org/article/supporting-older-adult-mental-health-what-you-can-do
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/mental-health-in-older-adults

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.