Mental Wellness as We Age
“A lot of times I see folks that are unaware of how deeply affected they are by their mental health and do not realize the many options out there to improve it,” says St. John’s Independent Living Elder Advocate Hannah De George.
With age comes many changes. From physical changes to events like retirement, selling homes, and moving into a new community — the process of aging can bring up a lot of feelings.
“Mental wellness is so important for any age,” says De George.
It is common among older adults to have feelings of isolation, especially in times of transition. De George says that “social connections provide us with opportunities to share our joys and burdens with others and places to seek support when we are struggling.”
The World Health Organization reports, “Mental health conditions among older people are often underrecognized and undertreated, and the stigma surrounding these conditions can make people reluctant to seek help.”
St. John’s Elder Advocate Assistant Megan Brown concurs. “It has been harshly stigmatized in the past, so it is important to spread awareness about the importance of seeking help when you need it and taking the proper care of your mental well-being like you would your physical health,” she says.
Both De George and Brown have seen the social and personal factors that impact older adults and their mental wellness. The pair says that loneliness, grief, caregiver stress, and physical changes are the main contributors to the poor mental health they witness in some of the residents at St. John’s independent living communities.
De George and Brown remind the residents of St. John’s that it is their role to serve as a trustworthy resource within this community and that they are available if residents need to talk.
“I invite the residents of St. John’s to come and sit on our couch and trust in us that we always will listen and try to help,” says Brown.
