Care Services and Mental Health

Home Care Blog>In Home Care  |  April 4, 2017

Care Services and Mental Health for Seniors

Senior Care Services | According to the World Health Organization, mental health is one of the two primary components of an individual’s holistic state, with the other component being a person’s physical health. The reason the WHO makes such a big deal about the importance of mental health is that it is often not treated with the same urgency as physical health issues, but it should be.

One in five seniors over 55 suffer from mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and cognitive impairment. Too often, these mental health disorders lead to chronic or debilitating physical health problems and/or suicide. These numbers grow significantly as seniors age, with seniors over the age of 85 having the highest rate of suicide of any age group.

In addition to the very serious mental health problems of debilitation and suicide, mental distress often interferes with a senior’s performance of one or more activity of daily living. For example, seniors who are anxious or distressed may forget to take their medication, may not pay attention to their personal hygiene, or may let the housekeeping, laundry, or dishes go for an extended length of time. Others may stop eating or gorge themselves on unhealthy foods. Additionally, researchers found that seniors who suffer from frequent mental health issues are significantly more likely to smoke, drink excessively, and fail to exercise.

Senior Care Services in Calgary, AB

When seniors have a mental health disorder, in home senior care can help them maintain their freedom, independence, and quality of life. Not only can in home care services increase a senior’s sense of self-worth and dignity, but in doing so it reduces the risks of suicide and other related problems.

The success of senior care services is not secret or mysterious. Instead, it is based on the premise that seniors require the same sense of love, respect, and support that we all do. Sadly, life circumstances have taken some of these away from many seniors. In home care helps to restore these basic foundations of humanity. From simple help with daily tasks to companionship, help with personal care and socialization, senior caregivers meet the senior where they are at – emotionally and physically. The Centers for Disease Control reports that nearly a quarter of seniors over the age of 65 feel as if they “rarely” or “never” get the mental or emotional support they need. In home care services helps change that perception.

In short, many seniors suffer from mental health problems, and too many suffer silently. Thankfully, with Comfort Keepers care services, this does not have to be the case for your senior loved one.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Senior Care Services

If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

Care Services for Calgary, AB and the surrounding areas of: Airdrie, Aldersyde, Banff, Black Diamond, Calgary, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, High River, Okotoks, Redwood Meadows and Sherwood, AB.

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