#elderly health #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #depressionsymptoms #familycaregivers #mentalhealthstigma
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
馃憠馃徑馃槩Depression
馃憠馃徑馃槧馃槩馃槨馃槀馃榾Mood swings
馃憠馃徑馃挙馃樀鈥嶐煉玈leep disturbance
馃憠馃徑馃Withdrawal and disinterest
Especially if you are a Family Caregiver, please join me in the discussion on :
馃馃徑3 reasons why older persons are at risk for mental health illness
馃馃徑3 early signs early signs of mental health illness and
馃馃徑3 methods that may work with early intervention and management
......................................................
馃馃徑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?
...........................................................................
馃馃徑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/馃馃徑loss or increase of appetite (food and drink or one more than the other)
2/馃馃徑withdrawal- not as communicative , more tired, apathetic- not caring for self or house or surroundings and
3/馃馃徑they give up wanting to "bother " with health care in general- neglecting medication, refusing doctor visits.
........................................................................
馃馃徑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.馃挅
From my heart to yours always馃挆
Dr. Lana
..........................................................
馃憠馃徑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- 馃摟 -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on my website lanaslittlethings.com for more insights
We are better together!馃挴
#elderly health #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #depressionsymptoms #familycaregivers #mentalhealthstigma
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
馃憠馃徑馃槩Depression
馃憠馃徑馃槧馃槩馃槨馃槀馃榾Mood swings
馃憠馃徑馃挙馃樀鈥嶐煉玈leep disturbance
馃憠馃徑馃Withdrawal and disinterest
Especially if you are a Family Caregiver, please join me in the discussion on :
馃馃徑3 reasons why older persons are at risk for mental health illness
馃馃徑3 early signs early signs of mental health illness and
馃馃徑3 methods that may work with early intervention and management
......................................................
馃馃徑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?
...........................................................................
馃馃徑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/馃馃徑loss or increase of appetite (food and drink or one more than the other)
2/馃馃徑withdrawal- not as communicative , more tired, apathetic- not caring for self or house or surroundings and
3/馃馃徑they give up wanting to "bother " with health care in general- neglecting medication, refusing doctor visits.
........................................................................
馃馃徑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.馃挅
From my heart to yours馃挆
Dr. Lana
..........................................................
馃憠馃徑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- 馃摟 -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on my website lanaslittlethings.com for more insights
We are better together!馃挴
Lana's Little Things Day #127- When Was Your Last "Self-Check-in?"馃グ馃挆馃グ
#selfcheck #selfcare #mentalhealth #burnout #anxiety 馃く #friendship
It's already 15 days into a new year!馃槷
Do you regularly press "reset" on your goals and visions?鈴革笍馃馃徑鈴革笍
Do you- "check-in" with you?馃グ馃挆馃グ
We discuss today how crucial it is to :
鈴革笍馃馃徑鈴革笍adapt to changing circumstances,
馃憖stay focused,
馃暟锔弇ake time to reevaluate our priorities, and
馃憖馃幆get clear on our visions and goals.
Self-assessment allows us to measure our progress, identify areas for improvement, and maintain motivation. 馃グ馃挆馃グ
Regardless of age, continuous progression fosters personal growth, prevents stagnation, and promotes a sense of purpose.
鈴革笍馃馃徑鈴革笍Embracing change and growth throughout life ensures fulfillment and resilience in the face of life's challenges!
From my heart to yours always馃挆