Maintaining Mental & Emotional Well-being With Aged Care
As we journey through the later stages of our lives, prioritising our mental and emotional health becomes increasingly important. By doing so, we can ensure a positive and fulfilling life as we face the unique challenges that come with ageing. In this blog, we’ll explore why maintaining your mental and emotional health is essential to your overall well-being and how aged care services can assist with managing these aspects of your life as you grow older.
Importance of Mental & Emotional Health
It’s natural for many of us to focus on our physical health as we grow older. Wanting to stay independent is a common feeling and staying physically fit is an easily measurable metric that can contribute to this. However, it’s also important to recognise that mental and emotional wellbeing is equally vital. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions as we adjust to the several life changes that occur during this period. Managing retirement, evolving relationship dynamics and general health challenges can sometimes lead to feelings such as anxiety, frustration, and loneliness. Addressing mental and emotional health can lead to an enhanced quality of life as you grow older and promote a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Strategies For Positive Wellbeing
There are fortunately several types of aged care services that cater to both mental and emotional wellbeing in addition to regular physical health. Known as a holistic approach to care, providers such as Whiddon seek to enhance the daily lives of residents and clients through stimulating activities and support. These services may be accessed through home care or at residential aged care homes and can include:
1. Exercise Programs
As individuals growing older, exercise can enhance physical health and has also been linked with several mental health benefits. This includes an overall improvement in mood, assistance with sleep quality and reducing the risk of developing conditions such as dementia. As part of our home care and residential aged care support, Whiddon offers an award-winning exercise program known as Exercise 4 Life and other activities such as dance classes which enable participants to strengthen their sense of identity and build their confidence.
2. Social Support Services
Another service that aged care providers can offer is social support. Being able to stay connected and engaged with the people and things that you love is an important part of managing your well-being. Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation are prevalent issues as we grow older and can lead to an increased risk of developing other health issues. The care workers who provide social support seek to alleviate these problems through actions such as attending outings with the resident or client, providing transport to social groups and clubs, offering companionship, and learning new hobbies with the older adult.
3. Art Therapy & Creative Ageing
Another strategy that can assist with maintaining your mental health is participating in art therapy and other creative ageing activities. As the name suggests, these activities involve forms of creative expression such as painting and dancing that allow older adults to stay mentally engaged and assist with reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. Moreover, as they are often performed in groups, creative ageing programs can also help to build a stronger connection between fellow participants, reducing feelings of social isolation.
How Aged Care Providers Can Help
At Whiddon, we believe that keeping people connected, staying physically and mentally active, participating in meaningful and purposeful activities and feeling part of a community are essential to wellbeing. Activities such as group discussions, arts and crafts and exercise programs can foster a sense of purpose and belonging among residents and clients. If you are interested in any of our various health and well-being programs, contact us today for more information.
