Talking About the Mental Health of Older Adults
Almost every second person in the world suffers from mental health issues such as dementia and other related conditions. The important question here is not about the mental health of our elderly parents.
There are some signs of mental illness in elderly parents to look out for:
- Their home doesn’t seem as tidy as before, with messiness and overflowing bins.
- They no longer participate in activities they used to enjoy, like spending time with family or friends, or visiting neighbors.
- There is a change in their physical appearance, such as irregular clothing changes or infrequent hair and teeth washing.
- Their refrigerator is either overflowing or empty, lacking fresh food and containing a lot of similar fruits.
- There is a change in their communication skills, where they either remain silent for the whole day or become excessively talkative.
- They have difficulty controlling their emotions, experiencing sudden bouts of sadness, tears, or laughter.
When your elderly parents want to talk to you, it’s important to consider a few points to ensure their satisfaction and confidence in opening up about their problems without hesitation. When they discuss their mental health, respond attentively to understand their perspective on their own life.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Listening them with full intention
Avoid interrupting them with comments or questions that may confuse them or undermine their confidence.
Relate them with others
Relate their experiences to those of others who have faced similar conditions, helping them feel more confident about their mental health recovery.
Don’t pass judgement to them
Refrain from passing judgment on their future prospects. Instead, encourage them to be proactive in planning for the future and maintaining a positive outlook in their daily routine.
Seriously getting the things that they say
Take their feelings and perspectives about their life seriously. Respect their emotions and never dismiss or trivialize their concerns. Even if their feelings may not be accurate at the time, acknowledging their thoughts can be beneficial for their future well-being.
Always available for them
Make yourself available for them and avoid one-sided conversations. Let them know that you are always there to talk whenever they need someone to listen. This demonstrates your genuine interest in their mental health.
Don’t gossips with them
Avoid engaging in gossip or backbiting in front of them. Mental health is a sensitive topic for elderly parents, and participating in such negative discussions can be detrimental to their recovery. Instead, focus on promoting a positive and healthy environment for their mental well-being.
