What Are The Psychological Problems Of The Elderly
Elderly people suffer from multiple psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. Fairview Adult Day Care Center has highly experienced social workers who understand these issues very well. Their goal is to listen, encourage them to talk, as well as help them deal with the issues they face. Dealing with the psychological problems of the elderly is something they are committed to helping with.
We regularly hold group discussions so clients can share their concerns and get things off their chest. Our English and Russian-speaking social workers foster a sense of family and belonging by encouraging clients to discuss their concerns.
Elderly Anxiety
Many elderly people with psychological problems are in poor health with serious or chronic medical conditions. These include cardiovascular problems and hypertension that can lead to a stroke. Diabetes is another common condition that can lead to stress and ill-health.
Seniors with mild anxiety tend to constantly worry that their health may get deteriorated. Some of them also have financial concerns. However, elderly with generalized anxiety disorder worry excessively about routine events and activities, and have difficulty sleeping. This disorder is thought to be very common in the elderly.
Elderly people with psychological problems don’t just present with one medical condition. It’s quite common for them to have several different conditions all of which strain a person’s mental and physical health. Some elderly patients have phobias or panic attacks or get worked up about things, leading to further stress and anxiety.
Depression
Depression is one of the more common psychological problems of the elderly. It affects an estimated 15 per cent of Americans over 65 years of age. It’s important to understand that depression in older people often goes hand in hand with social isolation and physical decline.
Depression in seniors often manifests itself in headaches, backaches, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties, such as forgetfulness. The situation for elderly people with mild depression can be aggravated by the death of a loved one. When that happens, they tend to withdraw into themselves and become more isolated than before.
Psychological therapies are the best treatment for people with mild to moderate depression. These therapies focus on emotional support of various kinds to alleviate the psychological problems of the elderly.
Fairview Helps The Elderly With The Psychological Problems
Fairview Adult Day Care in Brooklyn, NY, provides therapy in the form of regular, psychological, therapeutic discussions. These are held either one-to-one or in small groups to help people understand that they are not alone. People feel much better after sharing their concerns and discussing things together. They are part of the cognitive therapy that our social our workers offer to seniors.
We also have chair yoga classes for our seniors. They enjoy breathing, meditating and other relaxing exercises during the yoga classes. Other activities to make our seniors happier are dancing, singing, enjoying live music and other entertainment and fun activities. The positive emotional support we provide is an important way of overcoming the psychological problems of the elderly.
This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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