Successful aging is shaped by components such as subjective well-being (ability to cope with stress), flourishing social relationships, holding meaning in life, growth post-trauma, nourishing recovery, and maximum functional independence. Any hindrance that blocks the road to successful aging shed an impact on the seniors’ mental health. Geriatric counselling for mental health encompasses experts who act towards tuning in positive mental wellness for elderly people. The most common mental health issues in the Indian elderly population are dementia, depression, and anxiety disorders. At Athulya Home Healthcare, we prioritise seniors’ mental health as equal to their physical health.
What Does Research Say?
- A Lancet study stated that in the year 2017, about 19 million Indians suffered from mental disorders.
- Reports by the National Mental Health Survey show that the prevalence of mental morbidity over the age of 60 is 15.1%.
- A community survey conducted among elders showed that mental health issues are prevalent at a range from 8.9% to 61.2%.
- The prevalence of depressive disorders among geriatrics varies from 13% to 25%, according to another community study.
- Strong evidence exists on neuroplasticity among senior adults. Optimal physical, social and cognitive activities stimulate the development of dendrites, synapses, neurons, and blood vessels. Neurons in subcortical regions like the hippocampus may also develop.
What are the Factors that Shed an Impact?
Health: Mental health problems may arise due to several reasons. Health is a paramount factor that could greatly impact mental wellness negatively. Pain, trauma, surgery, fracture or injury, organ dysfunction, and chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, etc. create a negative mental space.
Stigma: The stigma around aging stops several seniors from accepting their feelings or seeking help. It portrays poor mental health to be common with the increase in age and makes seniors rethink seeking medical counselling. We proudly break this stigma by emphasising their mental wellness.
Isolation: Loneliness may set in due to the loss of a spouse, family members moving out of place, and clinical health determinants that affect their socialising abilities. Social isolation and loneliness can be dangerous and pose risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety disorders, heart diseases, and metabolic diseases.
Where is India at Providing Mental Health Services?
Scarce mental health infrastructure, poor availability of geriatric counselling professionals, and financial resources for the geriatric population are primary challenges observed in India. There are just around 4,000 psychiatrists to cater to about 21 million geriatrics who require mental health assistance. However, at places where sources are available, the awareness is devoid. A study found that about 46.3% of the study population wasn’t aware of the availability of any of the senior care services around their locality.
What is Geriatric Counselling?
During the course of improving physical health, the mental health of seniors should not be sidelined but managed alongside. Psychologists or geriatric counsellors possess adequate knowledge of the changes that happen during the transitional periods of aging. Our counsellors help seniors cope with their challenges and emotional imbalances. Geriatric counselling for seniors is a process that involves assessments (physical and psychological), treatment plans, counselling, and assistance to get through problems. It also utilizes the interdisciplinary approach to improve their quality of life and functional status.
We consider geriatric counselling for mental health improvements as a part of the overall medical intervention drafted for seniors.
What are the Approaches in Geriatric Counselling?
The different types of mental health counselling for seniors are discussed below,
- Supportive counselling: This is provided when the seniors find it hard to face their difficulties alone. The psychologists also ensure that the seniors do not become completely dependent on the counsellors but only seek temporary support and the resources to overcome.
- Educative counselling: The counsellor focuses on creating awareness for the elders. They impart important details about the problems they face and guide them to make the right decision during critical times.
- Confrontational counselling: The counsellors identify the misdeeds that may have been committed by seniors. Hiding or ignoring one’s immoral actions only worsens the mental health of seniors leading to frustration, guilt, and anxiety.
- Preventive counselling: The saying “prevention is better than cure” never gets old. The psychologists counselling for seniors not only treat the current diagnosis but also spot risk factors and initiate steps to prevent them from occurring.
- Spirituality counselling: Spirituality gets amplified in the growing years. Spiritual counselling helps the counsellors identify psychological issues that call for immediate action.
- Informal counselling: Informal counselling refers to sessions that happen outside the clinical setting like home. Geriatric counselling at home can make the seniors feel relaxed and open up about their sensitive topics.
- Depth counselling: Long-term mental issues in seniors are unwrapped and treated in detail. Depth counselling will require multiple sessions and adherence to the treatment.
Recognising the Void
Athulya Senior Care recognises the void in geriatric mental health and takes the leap to support them by providing geriatric counselling at home. Promoting sound mental wellness for seniors requires the support of close relations (family and friends), caretakers, nurses, doctors, and the community.
Athulya Home Healthcare’s nursing services include nurse assistants and skilled nurses. Nurses can be the go-to friends for seniors to vent out their emotions and feelings. Our doctors and nurses not only focus on assisting the elders’ medical needs but also act with compassion and empathy.
Creating a happy mental space from their happy place is our goal. To learn more details, visit Athulya Senior Care.
Information: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for any treatment or diagnosis. Seek professional help in case of any emergency. Athulya is not responsible for any consequences.
