FAMILY MENTAL WELLNESS
4. Create space for conversation. Ask your aging loved one how they are doing — and really listen. Whether they’ve received a recent health diagnosis, have a challenging physical health condition, have lost someone close to them, retired from their job or just seem unlike their usual self, provide a safe space for them to share their feelings, and then affirm that what they’re going through is hard. “We believe talk saves lives,” said Campo. “These are the generations that were taught to pull themselves up by their boot straps, so they may not be vocalizing mental health challenges." Rather than speaking in directives, like “you should” or “if you would only,” position yourself as a teammate ready to assist them in seeking help because you care about them. 5. Encourage mental well-being. Talk with aging loved ones about incorporating practices like regular self-care, mindfulness and breathing techniques into their daily lives to enhance their mental well-being. Making time for consistent exercise, which could include walking or stretching, can help manage stress, anxiety and depression, as can staying connected to friends and family. Learning a new hobby, volunteering for a cause and prioritizing other activities they enjoy will also promote positive mental health.
6. Seek supportive resources. The most important step family members can take is to connect aging relatives with mental health concerns to a trained behavioral health professional. According to the Association on Aging, as many as 70 percent of primary care visits for older adults are actually driven by psychological factors, like anxiety, depression or stress. While older adults in psychological distress utilize health care at a rate two to three times higher than non-distressed people, they’re often not screened for underlying causes of complaints. “We’ve found that 45 percent of people who died by suicide had seen their primary care physician within 30 days, but less than 1 percent of those had been seen in our certified community behavior clinics,” said Campo. “This tells us connecting people to evidence-based treatment really works.” Call or text 988 to be connected with trained behavioral health specialists who will listen to your concerns and help formulate a plan with actionable next steps. 988 is a beneficial resource both for the caregiver and for the parent or grandparent they’re caring for to connect with someone to talk to. Learn more about 988 at 988Oklahoma.com. Editor’s note: This article is part of a 10-month series of articles and podcasts with 988 Mental Health Lifeline. Find the full series at metrofamilymagazine.com/mental-health. CHRISTMAS MORNING DELIGHT!
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