As we age, what sort of challenges should we anticipate with our mental health? A study from the World Health Organization claims that 14% of senior adults have a mental disorder of some kind. These include everything from memory-related issues, such as dementia, to more emotion-focused disorders like depression.
Independence is a great location to live to support your mental health. History buffs in particular are most at home in Independence, but we're proud to have a little something for everyone. Whether you're here for the local history, the horse racing, or the close-knit community, we're happy to have you!
What is stigma in mental health, and how can we improve our views of mental health in seniors? If you're curious about emotional health in seniors, we're here to help. Read on for a quick overview of aging and stigma.
Before we dive in, what is a stigma? A stigma is a negative view or idea of something, typically born out of ignorance or a lack of education. Many times, stigma is linked to prejudice, such as ageism.
In seniors, the stigma against mental health is widespread and often seen as a generational difference. Aging and stigma are closely interlinked, especially in terms of behavioral health awareness.
A study published in Health In Aging states that seniors are significantly less likely to speak about mental health than younger individuals. Mostly, this is due to the different approaches the two demographics have to mental health. Seniors tend to brush it away, while younger generations have embraced it.
What has caused the stigma against mental health in seniors? There's no direct cause, though it's mostly considered a generational divide.
Science and psychology have advanced in the last six decades, which has led to explanations and terms for neurological conditions that didn't "exist" previously. They always existed, of course, but we didn't always have names for them.
According to a study in Mental Health in Family Medicine, older generations are more likely to see mental health struggles as a sign of weakness. Such a misconception causes seniors to hesitate to reach out for assistance, believing there's shame in it.
The fear of losing independence also plays into the stigma. Some seniors fear that they could be forced into separate living arrangements if they speak out about their mental health. For those dealing with conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's, this is especially prevalent.
Some also don't consider a tie between dementia and mental health. Dementia is neurological, making many believe it to be a separate condition. But what's more related to your mental health than your ability to think and remember?
What effect does this stigma have on the mental health of our seniors? Is this something that senior support systems can handle?
Unfortunately, this stigma has an exceptionally significant effect on seniors. In many cases, the stigma causes seniors to fail to reach out.
The main cause of this is the shame that some feel is associated with mental health. Many seniors feel ashamed of having poor mental health, causing them to keep it to themselves.
As a result, many experience severe isolation as a result of the stigma against mental health. Due to this, they're never able to get the assistance or attention they need.
The resulting isolation worsens mental health as a whole. These effects compound each other, making it so that the stigma drastically worsens mental health as a whole.
There are many other issues at play. These include:
Now that we better understand the stigma, we can look at ways that we can fight to overcome it. What's the best way for us to focus on emotional health in seniors?
While this is a difficult battle, we have plenty of ways to face mental wellness aging difficulties. Here are the best ways to battle this stigma.
Our first step is to educate people about the mental health issues that seniors face. It's most important for us to educate seniors themselves, as they're the ones who face it the most! Focusing on education helps to remove the stigma, as it's generally born out of ignorance.
The situation is also worsened by the growing acceptance of mental illness as a standard. Dementia care and other such conditions are brushed aside as something we all face. Raising senior mental health awareness around such conditions would help to remove this issue.
Another great way to help is to stay active in your community. Many of us lead stagnant lives, especially as we advance in age.
Working to remain physically and mentally active will help boost your mental health. As a result, you'll be able to battle the symptoms, especially when it comes to seeking aid.
Socializing is also a good way to improve your mental health and remove the stigma. Taking time to speak with people who suffer from mental health struggles will help to humanize these struggles. Browse our activity calendar to see what events you can join.
Another great way to battle the stigma is to help seniors seek treatment. Though this is a daunting step, it's also one of the quickest ways to see that there's nothing to be ashamed of.
Enjoying an enriching and vibrant community will also help boost mental health. Browse our amenities to see how we help you stay active!
What is stigma in mental health, and how can we remove it? Stigma worsens the mental health of our seniors by convincing them there's something to be ashamed of. Through education and staying active, we can work to fight back against this stigma.
At Prairie Hills Independence Assisted Living and Memory Care, we're proud to help support you in removing the stigma. We offer plentiful activities focused on socialization and health, from fitness classes to game nights, complementing our personalized, tailored care. Contact us to see how we can help support your mental health.