Want to know what has the most impact on mental health in older adults?
Lots of people would guess medication or therapy. But actually, the biggest influence is where they live.
The environment that seniors spend their time in has a huge influence on their mental wellbeing from day to day and even long-term cognitive health.
But here’s the thing…
- Your loved one’s environment is
- Being overlooked by most families AND
- Easy to change
and it can improve your senior loved one’s life overnight.
What you’re going to learn:
- How Environment Impacts Mental Health In Older Adults
- The Dangerous Link Between Mental Health and Social Isolation
- Simple Changes to Improve Your Loved One’s Environment
- How Independent Living Communities Support Senior Mental Health
How Environment Impacts Mental Health In Older Adults
The environment that seniors spend their time in can significantly impact their mental wellbeing.
The World Health Organization notes that about 14% of 70+ adults live with some form of mental disorder. With rapid aging populations worldwide, that number is only going to increase.
But did you know…
Many environmental factors contribute to mental health conditions in older adults. And isolation is one of the leading causes. Spending hours or days in a dark home without seeing anyone can take a serious toll on your senior loved one’s mood and mental health. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Independent living communities, like East Norriton Senior Living, feature indoor and outdoor areas where residents can safely spend time socializing with one another every day.
When seniors have access to common areas, daily social activities, and even just a simple daily routine their minds thrive.
Here are just a few ways your loved one’s environment impacts their mental health.
- Social interactions: Without regular access to other people your senior loved one starts to feel isolated. Which leads to loneliness and depression.
- Physical activity: If your loved one’s living space doesn’t have fitness facilities or easy walking paths they are less likely to keep active. Exercise is such a great mood booster!
- Structure: Having a regular routine that your loved one knows and expects each day can help keep anxiety at bay. Plus, it allows them to feel like they are in control of their life.
- Safety: Older adults who feel like they could be stuck inside waiting for help if they got hurt are constantly worrying. That kind of stress takes a toll.
These are just a few reasons why your senior loved one’s environment matters when it comes to their mental health. And if you’re not sure where to start making changes, independent living could be a great solution.
The Dangerous Connection Between Mental Health and Social Isolation
Social isolation is one of the scariest factors when it originates to mental health in seniors.
Not only is it linked to quicker mental decline, but families don’t often realize just how detrimental it is to their senior loved one’s health.
Did you know…
According to research by the National Academies of Sciences, isolation has been linked to a 50% greater risk of dementia. Plus, seniors who experience extreme isolation have up to a 30% higher risk of both stroke and heart disease.
Those are some serious numbers.
But it’s not fair physical health that suffers when your loved one is isolated. Their mental health takes a beating too.
Seniors who spend most of their time at home with little human interaction are highly likely to experience mental health glitches like anxiety and depression. And if you’ve ever talked to a truly lonely person you know it’s not just hard mentally, it wears away at them emotionally as well.
The problem is that once seniors spend too much time alone they don’t realize they’re even alone.
They make themselves busy with things to do around the house, watching television, or reading. Days turn to weeks before they realize they haven’t seen another human being in awhile. It becomes their new normal.
There are a few different causes for senior isolation, here are the most common:
- Death of a spouse or close friends
- Lack of transportation
- Limited mobility
- Living far away from family and friends
If your senior loved one is experiencing any of these things they are at risk of becoming isolated. What’s scary is how quickly it can happen and how destructive it is to their mental wellness.
Simple Changes to Improve Your Loved One’s Environment
Maybe your loved one isn’t quite ready to leave their home just yet. Or perhaps they love the area that they’re living in and want to stay put.
That’s okay!
You can still make small changes to your senior loved one’s environment that will support their mental health.
Try a few of these tips:
- Let in natural light: Open those curtains and let the sunshine in. Sunlight is proven to help with mood and even sleep.
- Declutter: Keeping a clean home can do wonders for your senior loved one’s mental health. Not only will they feel less anxious when their home is tidy but daily chores will be less stressful.
- Encourage visitors: Schedule weekly visits with other family members. If that’s not possible, set reminders for your loved one to call other relatives or friends.
- Develop a routine: Now is a great time to establish (or re-establish) a daily routine. Hopeful your loved one to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day will keep them feeling stable.
- Safety proof of their home: Install grab bars in the shower and bedrooms. Place lights on timers throughout the house so they are never in the dark. Move furniture around to prevent trip hazards.
Some of these tips you might be able to do on your own, but others might require you to bring in outside help.
If your senior loved one is suffering from anxiety or depression it might also be time to look into therapist options.
How Independent Living Communities Support Senior Mental Health
Independent living was mentioned earlier and for good reason. It’s one of the best ways to keep your loved one healthy mentally as they age.
These communities are specifically designed to allow seniors to live on their own terms. While encouraging them to be around social activities, other residents, and staff.
They have everything your loved one could need right outside their door. Here are just a few benefits of senior independent living communities.
Seniors who live in independent living communities experience:
- Less loneliness: Simply by having daily interactions with staff members and other residents loneliness is greatly reduced.
- Nutritious meals: Most communities offer meal plans that are well rounded and balanced. Eating nutritious foods helps support brain function and mood.
- More physical activity: Whether it’s a fitness center, walking paths, or group classes your loved one has access to things that will keep them moving.
- Reduced stress: No more worrying about home maintenance or costly repairs. Everything is taken care of for your loved one allowing them to relax stress-free.
When you combine all those things together it really takes a load of stress off your loved one. Which automatically improves their mental health.
They can spend less time worrying about the home and more time focusing on things that bring them joy. Whether that’s reading, working on hobbies, spending time with friends, or exercising.
Bringing It All Together
While there are many factors that contribute to mental health conditions in older adults, the environment they live in is just as important.
If your senior loved one spends every day inside their home feeling isolated from the world not only will their mood suffer but their mental health will decline.
Things like mental stimulation, daily routines, and social interaction are what keep your loved one healthy as they age. That’s why the environment plays such an important role in mental health with seniors.
If you’re able to move your loved one to an independent living community that is fantastic. But if not, don’t worry!
You can still make small changes to your senior loved one’s current environment that will encourage them to live healthier and happier.
