Around 15% of American adults over the age of 50 have a mental health disorder. For these seniors, it can be difficult to get needed support, thanks in part to the mental health stigma.
Atlanta is a great area for seniors to live in the south, especially if part of a senior living community. Despite this, mental health stigma persists in Georgia and throughout the country. This stigma can cause many seniors to feel ashamed of the disorders they're dealing with and can impact their quality of life.
So what is mental health stigma and why does it matter in senior care? In this guide, we'll take a close look at the answers to these questions.
Like it or not, there's a strong stigma regarding mental health in seniors as well as other age groups. With the stigma in place, it's common for people to judge others who suffer from mental health issues and for seniors who are struggling to feel a sense of shame on top of any other emotional turmoil that they're already facing.
The mental health stigma poses challenges for senior communities and for individual seniors who may be hesitant about getting help due to the shame and fear of judgment that they feel. Erasing the stigma and looking for more productive ways to approach mental health issues is essential for seniors, including those who live in an Atlanta senior living community, as well as those who live on their own.
By working to overcome the mental health stigma, seniors can get the help they need and can better interact and build relationships with those around them. They'll become less afraid to learn new coping skills and seek the help they need.
So what should change regarding the mental health stigma and why does it matter in senior care and senior communities? Here are some ways that it can be beneficial to approach the senior mental health stigma in a new way.
Even those who struggle with maintaining mental wellness in aging themselves have internalized the mental health stigma. They may have various biases that affect their attitudes towards their condition and towards treatment.
By working to combat the greater senior mental health stigma, individuals can learn better ways to view their own issues. They can then take steps to cope with any challenges they're facing, whether they live in an upscale senior living community or elsewhere.
By reducing stigma in mental health, caregivers and seniors can begin to identify early risks of certain disorders and conditions before they escalate into full-blown problems. They can prevent problems in the first place rather than allowing them to escalate.
With better education regarding mental health and with an ability to look for various signs, seniors will be able to spot problems. They can then take action early, rather than suffering the consequences of ignoring the signs.
Fostering open communication regarding mental health issues is essential for creating a thriving senior community. People often fail to realize that others are going through the same mental health issues that they are. Seniors commonly experience:
Part of the problem of the mental health stigma is that issues remain bottled up inside. By learning to talk about these issues with other seniors as well as family members, seniors can feel a stronger connection to others and can start overcoming mental health challenges together.
The open communication that can come from the elimination of the mental health stigma can help senior living communities improve. Seniors will feel more comfortable and accepting of both their issues as well as those of others.
As a result, the community will feel more connected and comfortable for everyone who is in it. A senior living environment can become more inclusive and accepting, and become more conducive to improving the quality of life for all.
A key goal of seniors shouldn't just be to live to a ripe old age, but to thrive in every moment. By reducing the senior mental health stigma's impact, discussing mental health topics openly, and getting necessary support, seniors can enjoy their lives more fully and deeply.
The disorders that seniors commonly face can put a real damper on everyday life, leading to anxiety, stress, and loneliness. By working to resolve these issues and by overcoming the mental health stigma, seniors will live better and feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Seniors who recognize the mental health stigma for what it is and who work to overcome it will feel no shame in using the resources that are available to them to improve their lives. By working with therapists and making use of all aging and emotional health resources that are available, a senior will be able to take action towards resolving their problems and improving their quality of life.
A senior who buys into the stigma surrounding mental health will be cursed by inaction. On the other hand, seniors who successfully overcome the mental health stigma will be more motivated to get the help they need.This can enable them to remain emotionally balanced and mentally strong throughout their senior years.
So what is mental health stigma and why does it matter in senior care? Erasing the mental health stigma in seniors won't happen overnight, but it's important to do everything you can to take a step in the right direction. By moving beyond the stigma of mental health, seniors can begin to get the treatment they need and can communicate more openly with family members and professionals.
If you're looking for a comfortable assisted living and memory care mental health community in Atlanta, consider Heartis Buckhead. With amazing floor plans, plenty of amenities, and an amazing community, Heartis Buckhead is the ideal choice.
Interested in learning more about Heartis Buckhead? Discover more information about Heartis Buckhead by getting in touch today.