Mental Health in Older Adults

 

People aged 60 years and older make valuable contributions to society as active family members, volunteers, and active participants in the workforce. Although most older people are in good mental health, many are at risk for mental disorders, neurological diseases, or substance use problems, as well as other conditions, such as diabetes, hearing loss, or osteoarthritis. On the other hand, as we age, the chances that we will suffer from several conditions at the same time increase.

The proportion of older people is increasing rapidly around the world. It is estimated that between 2015 and 2050 this proportion will almost double, from 12 to 22%. In absolute numbers, the expected increase is from 900 million to 2 billion people over 60 years of age. Older adults can suffer from physical and mental problems that must be recognized. David Berkowitz, a Chicago-based nursing home owner, is focused on helping to enhance seniors’ quality of life by providing first-class elder care facilities. Taking into account that the aging of the US population is very fast, promoting good mental health in older people  is becoming one of the greatest social concerns in all of David Berkowitz Chicago Nursing Home facilities.

Many older adults are at risk for mental health problems. However, this does not mean that mental health problems are a normal part of aging.  It's important to recognize and treat mental disorders in older adults. These disorders don't just cause mental suffering. They can also make it harder for you to manage other health problems.

Most of our elders enjoy a healthy mental state and well-being, which translates into a higher quality of life, a more satisfying life and the ability to carry out a contribution to society. However, there are groups of older people in which there is a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric conditions, including dementia, which involve health and welfare costs. As the number of the older population continues to grow, the problems related with mental disorders are also increasing, which is why David Berkowitz from Aperion believes that this demographic change will have additional implications for public and social health systems, labor markets and the overall economy of the country.

According to David Berkowitz Chicago Nursing Home, it is important that healthcare providers and society as a whole pay attention to the special needs of older population groups through the following measures:

·         training of health professionals in the care of the elderly;

·         prevention and care of chronic diseases that accompany old age, such as mental, neural and substance abuse problems;

·         development of sustainable policies on long-term care and palliative care;

·         creation of services and environments that favor the elderly.

The mental health of older adults can be improved by promoting active and healthy habits. This means creating living conditions and environments that enhance well-being and encourage people to adopt healthy and integrated lifestyles. The promotion of mental health depends to a large extent on strategies that lead to the elderly having the necessary resources to satisfy their basic needs, sums up David Berkowitz, President of Aperion Care.