Coping Mechanisms for Depression in Seniors: Supporting Emotional Wellness

The National Council on Aging reports that 20% of older adults experience some type of mental health concern. Depression alone impacts 21 million seniors annually!

If you or an older loved one is struggling with emotional wellness, finding coping mechanisms for depression is the first step toward a better lifestyle. Read on to learn some healthy aging tips to combat depression and how Summer Place can help residents enjoy their golden years.

Talk to Others About Senior Mental Health

One of depression's main symptoms is a struggle to get out of bed in the morning.

There are a myriad of reasons for this, including:

A lack of motivation
Ongoing physical and mental fatigue
Exhaustion due to poor sleep
Feeling overwhelmed by even the simplest of tasks
An internalized, sometimes unknown avoidance of getting through the day

An inability to start the day makes it almost impossible to talk with others about your mental state. This leads to festering thoughts, including worthless feelings and a lack of hope.

This vicious cycle makes those thoughts and feelings seem too big to confront. They're another overwhelming thing to avoid.

The only way to break the cycle is to recognize and confront this core symptom of depression.

One of the best ways to stop the pattern is to talk with someone else about it. This can be a family member or friend. It can also be a compassionate caregiver at a senior living community.

Start a conversation in which you talk about your symptoms. Acknowledge them and sit with them for a while. Sometimes, telling another person about a problem can make it feel more real and impactful.

The person you talk to can also help you combat depression in aging. They can:

Offer tips to make your life feel less hopeless
Spend time with you to nip loneliness in the bud
Check in on you to make sure that you are caring for yourself and getting out of bed every day

Form New Connections

Age is a massive risk factor for loneliness.

This is partly because older adults may have mobility issues that stop them from getting around. Being unable to drive and having to rely on inconsistent or inaccessible public transit is isolating. If your spouse or friends have passed away, it's easy to self-isolate because you don't have any close connections with others.

However, forming new social connections is a critical part of overcoming depression.

To do this, you'll want to:

Go to social events that interest you
Have regular conversations with friends and family members
Join social or spiritual groups
Surround yourself with a like-minded community
Exchange contact information with people and follow up to create plans

In the era of video calling, it's easier than ever to stay in touch!

However, there's nothing quite like an in-person connection to overcome depression. A quality senior independent living community helps residents meet people through:

Themed parties
Community dances
Live music performances
Game and card nights
Movie screenings
Active events like group walks or team sports
Hobby workshops (including crafting, writing, sewing, painting, pottery, and more)
Guest lectures about several topics (including wellness, history, science, current events, and more)

Since there are so many activities to choose from, seniors are sure to find something that motivates them to attend.

As a senior living community resident, you can also easily meet new friends there and form strong connections. Those at the event will already be interested in the same topic or activity as you. This breaks the ice and provides a foundation for lifelong friendship and support.

Establish a Daily Routine

A daily routine can:

Make life feel more manageable due to its step-by-step nature
Decrease feelings of being overwhelmed
Lower your stress levels and prevent anxiety from developing
Make your sleep schedule by establishing a consistent circadian rhythm
Help you feel more in control of daily life

WebMD cites routine as one of the best ways that you can enhance your emotional wellness!

To make a structured schedule, start with a couple of key activities and complete them on a schedule. Brushing your teeth each morning and going to bed at a consistent time is a good first step.

Then, set realistic goals and experiment with the routine. Find something that works for you.

It's easier to create a routine while in an independent living community. There are tons of events to structure your day around. Community professionals and other residents will help you, too.

Have a Healthy Diet

Some studies indexed by the National Library of Medicine suggest that there's a strong link between poor diet and depression.

Harvard Health also takes an in-depth look at these findings. Those who eat diets with more vegetables, fruits, fish, and unprocessed grains have a 25%-35% lower risk of depression. Refined foods and sugars can make people more depressed.

One of the best coping mechanisms for depression is to eat better! Try:

Cutting out processed foods
Decreasing red meat intake
Eating healthy snacks like fruit and nuts
Educating yourself on how different foods impact your mind and body
Attending wellness workshops at your senior independent living community to learn more

Make sure to eat a healthy amount of the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy brain function. Don't forget about antioxidants, either. They can help your brain cells stay sharp and healthy!

Eating the right foods can also help seniors decrease their risk of cognitive decline, so a healthy diet kills two birds with one stone.

Discover Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Depression in Chelmsford

Now that you know how to contend with depression in aging, it's time to prioritize accessing coping mechanisms for depression. Summer Place is committed to providing support for older adults and emotional wellness.

Our team is excited to get to know new residents individually and help them find their home in a vibrant, socially involved community. Whether it's you or a family member who needs to invest in senior mental health, we're here to provide support through both good times and bad.

Reach out to us to learn more about our emotional wellness programs before scheduling a community tour!