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Tag: mental health

  • Volunteering in Your Golden Years

    Volunteering in Your Golden Years

    There are so many benefits to volunteering and keeping busy in your golden years, while making a difference and touching lives. Aging can potentially lead to health problems and self-esteem issues, however, volunteering is a great way to focus on the positive, improve your sense of self-worth, and feel happier. In fact, adding value and doing something good for others provides a sense of accomplishment and enhances the quality of life. It can even result in decreased anxiety and increased longevity, according to Generations Magazine.

    Spending your golden years volunteering and helping others can bring a renewed sense of joy, connection, and meaning. While work may come to an end, the need for structure and purpose remains. Without them, retirement can sometimes feel pretty boring and lonely.

    Here are a few reasons older adults should consider volunteering and focusing on others.

    Staying Connected to the Community

    Most people would probably agree that working provides a sense of connection to colleagues, customers or clients, businesses, and organizations. When older Americans retire, this crucial sense of belonging may get lost. Therefore, finding volunteering opportunities and giving back to the community can help restore and reignite that sense of connection.

    Meeting New People

    When it comes to volunteering your time and efforts, one thing is for sure: not only do you get to spend time doing something you love, something energizing, stimulating, and rewarding, but you also get to interact with other people, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and potentially help create a thriving local ecosystem. In other words, even at an older age, you can expand your social network, meet interesting people, and make new friends. The opportunity is there; you might as well get the most out of it.

    Volunteering Keeps You Moving

    Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining your health, strength, and vitality as you age. Volunteering often provides natural opportunities to stay active, whether that means organizing local events, serving meals, helping with community cleanups, or accompanying someone for a walk. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering can help people stay physically active while supporting overall health and well-being. Regular movement not only helps manage weight but also supports heart health, circulation, and joint flexibility, reducing the risk of age-related health concerns.

    Learning is an Ongoing Process

    Volunteering offers an excellent opportunity to learn new things. Engaging with diverse communities allows older Americans to gain exposure to various cultures, perspectives, and viewpoints. For example, volunteering for a multicultural organization or participating in language exchange programs will enable older adults to embrace other cultures, understand other nations, and learn more about foreign traditions. Additionally, some volunteer tasks may involve technology and present older adults with a unique opportunity to expand their technical knowledge beyond their comfort zones. What a great way to keep your mind sharp!

    Tapping into New Opportunities

    Now, is there any cause you are passionate about? And have you considered joining a not-for-profit organization or contributing to a charity that you respect and admire? Don’t forget there are local art organizations, food banks, churches, or synagogues that rely on volunteers to help those in need. Why don’t you reach out and see what you could do for them or how they could benefit from your input? You could also volunteer in hospitals, parks, libraries, or museums.

    From social interactions and meaningful connections to numerous health benefits and learning opportunities, the impact of volunteering is undeniable. It offers a wealth of benefits for mature individuals, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It plays a crucial role in helping older Americans live happier, healthier, and more rewarding lives. Given the valuable contributions older adults can make to their communities and to their own health and happiness, they should be encouraged to explore volunteering opportunities and continue living their lives to the fullest. No matter how old they are.

  • Supporting Mental Health as We Age

    Supporting Mental Health as We Age

    Many of today’s older adults grew up during a time when mental health issues were not as well understood as they are today. In years past, people didn’t discuss problems like loneliness or depression because many considered them a sign of weakness.

    Now we understand that mental health and physical health are equally important to our well-being. Today, experts understand that mental health challenges are treatable. You can improve the quality of your life, or that of an older adult, by making sure you understand the warning signs and know where to turn for help.

    How Many Seniors Suffer from Depression?

    According to the CDC, it is estimated that 20% of people age 55 years or older experience some type of mental health concern. The most common conditions include anxiety, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder.

    Even though older adults may experience mental health issues, they are less likely than younger adults to receive treatment for them. When they do receive treatment, it’s also less likely to be from a mental health specialist.

    All of us can relate to feeling anxious, a work problem, a major decision, or a health condition can make you feel worried and anxious. But for older adults with anxiety disorders, that nervous feeling doesn’t disappear when the problem is resolved. Approximately 10%-15% of older adults (women more frequently than men) can experience severe anxiety.

    We all experience sadness from time to time, it’s a normal part of life. However, depression, which is the most common of all mood disorders, isn’t simply a case of the blues. Depression can affect your daily activities. It can interfere with your sleep and can make you feel hopeless. Severely depressed people are also at high risk for suicide.

    Symptoms of Major Depression

    According to the National Institutes of Health, you can have major depression without realizing it.

    Symptoms include:

    • Persistent sad or anxious mood
    • Feeling hopeless
    • Lack of energy
    • Problems with concentration and memory
    • Change in sleep patterns
    • Changes in your appetite
    • Feeling restlessness, irritability

    Symptoms of Minor Depression

    According to U.S. data from America’s Health Rankings, about 14.7% of adults age 65 and older report having been told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder, including major depression, minor depression, or dysthymia. And while these symptoms may not always feel severe, even milder forms of depression can still be troubling and affect daily life.

    Symptoms include:

    • Difficulty in functioning
    • Decreased social activity
    • Vague health complaints

    Common Risk Factors for Depression in Older Adults

    Although most cases of depression are diagnosed in young adults, depression can occur at any age. Certain people are at a higher risk of developing depression. If you are an older adult, you may be at a higher risk if you:

    • Are chronically Ill
    • Are female
    • Are disabled
    • Are socially isolated

    You may also be at a higher risk if you:

    • Have personal or family history of depression
    • Take certain medications
    • Abuse alcohol or drugs
    • Experience a life-changing event

    Where to Turn for Help if You or a Loved One May Have Depression

    If you think that you or a loved one may have depression, it is important to seek treatment. A person with depression cannot simply “snap out of it”, it is a medical condition that affects one’s quality of life. You are more likely to develop a physical illness if you have untreated depression.

    The good news is that, in most cases, depression is treatable in older adults. The right treatment may help improve your overall health and quality of life. Some symptoms may start to improve within a week or two, but it may be several weeks before you feel the full effect of treatment.

    Talk to Your Doctor

    If you think you have depression, the first step is to talk to your doctor or health care provider. Your doctor will review your medical history and do a physical exam to rule out other conditions that may be causing or contributing to your depression symptoms. He or she may also ask you a series of questions about how you’re feeling. It is important to be open and honest about your symptoms, even if you feel embarrassed.

    If other factors can be ruled out, the doctor may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or psychiatrist. Some providers are specially trained to treat depression and other emotional problems in older adults.

    What are my treatment options?

    The primary treatment options for depression include medication and psychotherapy. It is important to remember that doctors and therapists develop a personalized treatment plan for each individual. Different treatments may have to be tried before the right one is found for you – be patient and good to yourself during the process. If you or a loved one is depressed, please seek help.

    Here are some resources:

    National Alliance on Mental Illness
    1-800-950-6264
    www.nami.org

    Mental Health America
    1-800-969-6642
    https://mhanational.org/

    National Institute of Mental Health
    866-615-6464
    www.nimh.nih.gov