Emotional & Mental Problems for Seniors in Retirement

Senior citizens approaching retirement age typically begin manifesting physical, mental or emotional problems. Sometimes, an individual exhibits all three. This is a natural, expected occurrence as senior citizens are older, which is when some physical and mental disorders manifest themselves. Identifying and treating these disorders as quickly as possible increases the quality of life seniors experience. While physical impairments are usually easy to diagnose, mental and emotional problems can be more difficult to spot.

Depression

• Depression is a common occurrence in senior citizens and usually results from seniors not feeling needed anymore. People who hold down jobs feel they are contributing to society and are a necessary part of the system, but when these people age and eventually retire, depression often sets in. The degree of depression varies from person to person and a number of solutions can be suggested to relieve depression, including finding hobbies, volunteering or talking with a therapist.

Anxiety

• Some seniors experience anxiety as they begin their retirement phase. Fears about what will happen to them, how they will pay for their retirement and where they will live plague them, often triggering anxiety. While some anxiety is natural when someone begins a new phase of their life, too much anxiety can lead to deteriorating mental or physical health. The family members of a senior experiencing anxiety can help alleviate this anxiety by putting a plan into action and explaining the plan to the senior.

Dementia

• Dementia is a broad term that covers a group of symptoms typically experienced by the elderly. It affects the way seniors' brains work and can cause people to become overly emotional or agitated. Some people suffering with dementia are unable to perform normal everyday activities, such as getting dressed, while others function almost normally with only periods of dementia. Several diseases cause dementia, including Alzheimer's and strokes. For severe dementia, the best course of care is placing the senior into a memory care facility where the medical professionals are prepared to handle the problems associated with dementia.

Memory Loss

• While seniors suffering from dementia often experience memory loss, the two conditions do not always occur together. Memory loss could result from senility or stroke and seniors suffering from memory loss could have perfectly normal brain function otherwise. The severity of the memory loss dictates the best course of action. For seniors affected in minor ways, close monitoring could be the solution, while for severe cases, it may be best to put the person in a memory care facility.