Aging Successfully
Bev Cress
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Aging successfully is an art. In a society that values youth, aging with grace and dignity can present challenges along the way. Depression, isolation, and anxiety need not be among those challenges.
According to Melanie Pheatt, the aging specialist at the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, mental health problems like depression and anxiety are not a normal part of aging. Some of the circumstances than can contribute to the development of mental health problems include: social isolation, stressful living conditions, bereavement, acute and chronic health conditions, and care-giving responsibilities.
Depression can sometimes develop as the result of multiple stressors, a significant change in lifestyle, a move to a nursing home or the loss of physical independence. Depression can also sometimes be related to physical illnesses such as diabetes, thyroid disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Many older adults develop mental health problems for the first time when they are in their later years. The good news is that older adults generally respond well to mental health treatment. Treatment may include medication, therapy, or a combination of medication and therapy.
However, research shows that about four out of five older adults who need mental health services are not getting the treatment that they need. Some of the factors contributing to this may include:
Many older people who are at risk for serious mental disorders, including those with dementia, do not refer themselves for help.
There is an increasing number of older adults who have no family members available to help them get services.
The stigma of mental health problems can prevent older adults from seeking treatment.
They may think of mental health problems as either being a normal part of aging, or they may think of mental health problems a being a sign of weakness.”
Life is supposed to be full and satisfying at all ages. Don’t allow treatable emotional pain to interfere with the satisfaction and fullness of your life or the life of a loved-one. Do what you would do if you had a physical illness- reach out to a professional for help. The wisdom that comes with age will confirm the good judgment of receiving treatment. It just makes sense to do so.
• This column is provided by the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas which serves the citizens of Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, and Wabaunsee Counties. For more information on this or other column topics, to sign up for email newsletter, or to request free brochures or a speaker for your club or organization, please contact Bev Cress at (620) 343-2211 ext. 6217. Toll-free after-hours emergency please call (866) 330-3310