Mental health challenges can affect individuals of any age, but seniors often face unique struggles that may go unnoticed or untreated, especially if they are living alone. In our care homes across Devon, our seniors’ mental health (and that of all our residents) is a priority.
At Southern Healthcare, we feel passionate about empowering and supporting our residents to live meaningful, purposeful lives. Our residents’ emotional wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. So, with that in mind, here are our top tips for a holistic approach to seniors’ mental health to tie in with World Mental Health Day.
- Understanding mental health
Seniors face numerous changes as they age, from physical health challenges to the loss of loved ones, which can significantly impact their mental health. Depression, anxiety, and loneliness are common issues among older adults, but they are often misinterpreted as normal aspects of aging. On World Mental Health Day, it’s important to emphasise that these conditions are treatable, and early intervention can drastically improve an older person’s quality of life.
At our care homes in Exeter, Seaton, Dawlish, and Plymouth, a comprehensive approach is taken to address these issues. Mental health care is integrated into the daily routines and activities of residents to ensure their emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside their physical care.
- Person-centered approach
Seniors’ mental health requires a tailored approach. Our holistic and person-centered approach to our seniors’ mental health helps our residents’ to address existing mental health concerns, but also to prevent new ones from developing. Each of our care homes employs a combination of personalised therapies, recreational activities including dancing, singing, animal visits, art sessions, gardening, and day trips to empower our residents to live fulfilling lives in a supportive environment.
We take note of each resident’s interests and hobbies, and we try our best to incorporate these into their lives. This has included taking a former motocross racer to watch a motocross competition track side, taking an octogenarian on a visit to the beach in a specialist beach wheelchair, and accompanying a Bingo enthusiast on a night out on the town!
At South Healthcare we have our own band, and we have regular musical entertainment to help keep residents mentally and emotionally stimulated. All our activities foster a sense of community, helping to reduce feelings of isolation—a key factor in combating depression among seniors. Family involvement is also encouraged, and care home staff regularly engage with relatives to discuss their loved one’s mental health, ensuring they are part of the support system.
- Trained staff
One of the defining features of Southern Healthcare’s approach to seniors’ mental health is the specialised training provided to staff members. Each staff member is trained in the Eden Alternative philosophy and as such, they actively nurture meaningful relationships with our residents, supporting them to live happy and fulfilled lives.
Our staff are trained to recognise early signs of mental health decline, such as mood changes, withdrawal from social activities, or changes in sleeping patterns. This proactive approach enables quicker interventions and more effective treatment plans.
Additionally, dementia care is a crucial part of Southern Healthcare’s offerings. For many years, Southern Healthcare has engaged with some of the leading thinkers in research and innovation in the provision of dementia care. We implement several strategies devised by leading experts and our staff are highly trained using the Butterfly Approach, which includes a variety of techniques including gentle movements and a soft speaking voice.
As we observe World Mental Health Day, it’s crucial to raise awareness of the mental health challenges seniors face and the importance of providing them with the right support systems. There’s more that should and can be done, but let’s also recognise the incredible strides being made to address seniors’ mental health in care homes across the South West. By focusing on holistic and compassionate care, Southern Healthcare is helping ensure that seniors live happy, healthy, and mentally fulfilling lives.