Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast.

Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-401-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee

This week we are going to talk about mental health in our aging loved ones, there’s an assumption that mental health problems are a 'normal' part of aging, but most older adults don't develop mental health problems, and they can be helped if they do. While a significant number of people do develop dementia or depression in old age, they aren't an inevitable part of getting older. First thing I’m going to cover is retirement, it’s such a large change in our aging loved one’s life that it can affect their mental health. Getting older and retirement both involve a change in lifestyle for most people and it's important to take care of mental health as well as physical health.

Retirement can be a very thrilling time in their, but it may also cause some of our aging loved ones to be depressed. Depression describes a range of moods, from feeling a bit low in mood to feeling unable to cope with everyday life. It can affect anyone, of any culture, age or background but more older people are affected than any other age group.

The neurobiological changes associated with getting older, prescribed medication for other conditions and genetic susceptibility (which increases with age) are also factors for depression.

Another major mental health that can occur in later life for our aging loved ones is dementia.

People with dementia can become confused and some also become restless or display repetitive behaviour. They may also seem irritable, tearful or agitated which can be very distressing for both the person with dementia and their family and friends.

Another mental health issue our aging loved ones could face is alcohol abuse. Although alcohol abuse is a problem for people of all ages, it is more likely to go unrecognized among older adults. Reasons for alcohol abuse in older age include bereavement and other losses, loneliness, physical ill health, disability and pain, loss of independence, boredom and depression, which is also linked to the other factors.

The last large thing that can cause mental health in later life for our aging loved ones, prescribed medications. Prescribed medications can cause symptoms associated with mental illness in older people.

Mental health in later life can be cause by a number of different reasons. Retirement, depression, dementia, alcohol abuse and medications are the bigger causes.

Aging loved ones with dementia often need special support - they may take longer to make decisions, our aging loved ones may need advocate to speak on their behalf and their mental functioning may also vary by day, and time of day. Having an open conversation with your loved one and their doctor can help manage their mental health. Mental health doesn’t not have to be a part of everyday life as our loved ones age. As we help our aging loved ones with their mental health it can be demanding both physically and emotionally on you. Do not forget to take care of your own mental health during this time as well. I hope this episode helps you notice any mental health changes in your aging loved one. If you have any questions or concerns reach out to your aging loved ones primary doctor right away.

Join me next week for another episode of a common challenge we all face while helping our aging loved ones. Stay safe and well.