Often, mental health is overlooked especially by the senior community. Mental health is critically important but not always on the forefront of everyone’s minds. Your senior may be living alone and family and friends may come over, and they may have personal care at home services to help them out too. However, all of this activity can be a lot for a senior and there may be times when they may need a mental health day. When your senior takes the time to add in mental health days it can help them feel more productive throughout the week, keep them feeling optimistic about life, and help them stay resilient during challenging times.
Here are some signs a senior may need a mental health day or a break from activity in the household.
They Constantly Feel Overwhelmed
Your senior loved one will need to do day-to-day things, keep up with their household chores, and find a routine they love to do. All of this can seem easy but for a senior, this can quickly get overwhelming especially if they do not have professional help and have to rely on their own family. It is important that a senior aging in place has someone like personal care at home to help them with tasks. They can help them with bathing, changing, and other personal needs. When your senior is constantly overwhelmed they can easily get depressed and stop doing important tasks. The moment your senior loved one feels overwhelmed and exhausted, instead of continuing a task, they need to ask for help so they can take a break and relax. It seems counterproductive to take a break when you’re overwhelmed but in the future, it can help a senior thrive.
They May Become Irritable
A senior may go through periods of stress due to outside challenges but they should never be consistently stressed or irritable. If a senior is feeling irritable for more than a few days it is time to take a break from whatever is going on. They need a day to take a step back and maybe even be alone for a short time so they can focus on themselves and figure out what is stressing them out. Relationships can be challenging to manage when a senior is snapping over small issues or being annoyed with a family member or even personal care at home.
A Senior May Feel Unmotivated
A senior may usually have more motivation to do things but when they are feeling overwhelmed and burnt out it can seem like they aren’t willing to do anything. Sometimes a senior may need a day or two to be at one with themselves, reflect, and be alone, and this can help them find their motivation or their way. When they have the time to be alone and reflect they have time to find motivation again.
Mental Strain Can Happen
When seniors feel like there is too much going on they may have a hard time focusing on tasks and they may experience more mental strain. It can cause fatigue when they do not get breaks and it may even start impacting their sleeping habits and appetite. Taking breaks is crucial for a senior aging in place.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home Services in Emporium PA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Quality Health Services.
Call today! Northern Counties: (814) 251-9044
Blair, Cambria, & Centre Counties: (582) 220-2127
Quality Health Services is a trusted non-medical senior care provider in Dubois, Punxsutawney, Bellefonte, Jefferson, Brockway, Brookville, Clearfield, St Marys, Emporium, Philipsburg, Blair County, Cambria County, and Centre County, PA areas.
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