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Importance of Mental Health in Seniors



According to the WHO, the world's population of the elderly is set to rise from 12 to 22% from 2016-20150. The estimated number of seniors above 60 would then be 2 billion by 2050. Of this, at least 15% of the adults suffer from mental health disorders.
The most common mental health disorders affecting the aged are
  1. Depression
  2. Anxiety
  3. Dementia
  4. Cognition issues and
  5. Bipolar disorder
Most often, the mental health of aged adults is affected due to neglect, isolation and loneliness. All this can be remedied by using senior home healthcare services to keep the elderly booth healthy and happy.

Why do mental health disorders develop in senior adults?
Aged adults are more prone to mental health disorders because of

  1. Reduced vigour, frail health and loss of functional capacity
  2. Reduced pain and chronic health problems
  3. Loss of loved ones
  4. Decline in socio-economic status due to retirement
  5. Loss of independence
  6. Isolation and loneliness
  7. Neglect by loved ones
All the above factors may lead to stress and mental illness in older adults. Seniors with functional disability and chronic illnesses require the gentle care and attention which can only be provided by senior home healthcare services.
Depression in senior citizens
Depression is the most common and unrecognized mental illness in seniors. About 7% of the older adults suffer from unipolar depression and it accounts for 5% of the years lived with disability (YLD) for those above 60. Depression is often overlooked as it occurs along with other more serious geriatric problems. Depression in senior citizens occurs due to
  • Losing a loved one
  • Being separated from loved ones
  • Retirement or unemployment
  • Declining health or illness
  • loneliness due to isolation.
Depressed adults have a poor functioning and quality of life when compared to adults with diabetes or hypertension. Such adults must be attended to 24x7 using a nursing assistant for the elderly or senior healthcare services.

Dementia in the elderly
Right now, 50 million seniors are affected by dementia worldwide and this number is expected to rise to 82 million in 2030 and 152 million in 2050. It is a progressive to mental health disorder which results in a decline in thinking, memory, behaviour and daily functioning. Caused by the death of ageing brain cells, this mental illness causes confusion, agitation, stress, irritability and repetitive behaviour in seniors. 24x7 support is required for elders with dementia and this can be provided only by senior home healthcare services.

What should elders do to keep mental health strong?
  1. Be active and perform their routine activities daily
  2. Exercise to keep themselves fit and strong
  3. Engage in social interaction with others to avoid isolation and loneliness
  4. Keep themselves occupied in useful activities that benefit themselves or others
  5. Execute tasks that require the use of their mental faculty to prevent loss of memory
  6. Maintain a cheerful disposition and a balanced state of emotions always.
  7. Take care of their health to be healthy and strong.
After 60, elders need the help of a caregiver or a nursing assistant for the elderly in achieving the above objectives.

Role of Senior home healthcare service to handle mental health disorders.
Senior home healthcare services are vital to ensure the right mental health of elders as they
  • Offer both attention and intuitive care to elders
  • Interact with the elderly on a daily basis and thus avoid depression
  • Help elders in performing their daily activities, thus increasing their efficiency.
  • Help seniors to exercise, thus ensuring their mobility
  • Help in early identification of the onset of mental illnesses 


Maintain the good mental health of elders by offering them undivided care and attention on your own or with the help of senior home healthcare services.


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