Lana's Little Things

health

Senior September continues with Mental Health Awareness!

This is still a hush-hush topic, but we must have the conversation.

Confusing, convoluted, and overlapping with so many other age related concerns. How CAN you tell if you or your loved one is struggling with mental health illness, and is there help?

There is always help of some kind. Awareness is key!

The major illnesses of

👉🏽😢Depression

👉🏽😠😢😡😂😀Mood swings

👉🏽💤😵‍💫Sleep disturbance

👉🏽🤐Withdrawal and disinterest

Especially if you are a Family Caregiver, please join me in the discussion on :

🧓🏽3 reasons why older persons are at risk for mental health illness

🧓🏽3 early signs early signs of mental health illness and

🧓🏽3 methods that may work with early intervention and management

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🧓🏽3 reasons why older persons are at risk for mental health illness:

1/GRIEF and LOSS - as they see or hear of close friends , relatives and workmates die, there is an (understandable) sense of fear : "Will I be next"?

2/Onset of CHRONIC ILLNESS - (hypertension, heart disease and the like, especially if one has been in good health before)

3/RETIREMENT-gateway to "freedom"? Or an open door into a scary unknown or loss of identity?

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🧓🏽3 early signs of mental health illness:

Similar to infection in the elderly , mental health illness may not be straightforward may not as it can overlap with other diseases.

Bear in mind that these symptoms are usually to be thought significance after 6 weeks of consistent change, and is by no means exhaustive.

What is a broad , general rule of thumb? Be keenly observant for :

1/🧓🏽loss or increase of appetite (food and drink or one more than the other)

2/🧓🏽withdrawal- not as communicative , more tired, apathetic- not caring for self or house or surroundings and

3/🧓🏽they give up wanting to "bother " with health care in general- neglecting medication, refusing doctor visits.

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🧓🏽3 methods that may work with early intervention and management, remembering to be tactful and always mindful of preserving their dignity and right to be involved in their own care:

1/ Ask them if they feel unwell (most questions may be met with denial), so be inventive- call the Family Physician who may be able to persuade for lab tests that may indicate a treatable cause (such as vitamin deficiency)

2/Routine - having a definite idea of your daily plans makes life seem less mundane and worthwhile

3/ Physical exercise (safety 1st!), Memory games... they work!

We ALL need and deserve to feel valid.💖

From my heart to yours💗

Dr. Lana

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👉🏽If you're a Family Caregiver or Fellow Physician at your wit's end, needing a different perspective, set up your free 15-minute coaching call with me- 📧 -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on my website lanaslittlethings.com for more insights

We are better together!💯

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