Older people
Everyone, feels ‘down’ or ‘low’ sometimes. Being older doesn’t change this – but we can sometimes feel that it makes things more difficult to cope with. Most people remain in good mental health until the end of their days. Depression and Dementia, however, are more commonly experienced in later life.
As people grow older, there is a huge range of experiences and situations which may be encountered. These may be both positive – such as becoming a grandparent – and negative. Such circumstances and events can make the likelihood of experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety greater. Different people have different levels of capacity to manage these types of events and many may be able to manage without any additional support.
Tips for keeping mentally fit
Eat well & Drink sensibly – don’t miss meals, remember to eat your 5 fruit & veg a day and only drink alcohol in moderation.
Keep your brain alive & alert – games like crosswords, cards, dominoes & scrabble are all great to keep your mind alert and active, and remember it’s never too late to learn something new!
Keep in touch – close relationships are important. Knowing that you have a friend to talk to can be really valuable if you are worried or anxious about something.
Keep active – it doesn’t have to be strenuous to begin with, but taking regular exercise helps you to sleep better and reduces feelings of stress.
Plan ahead – knowing what’s in store each day can be really uplifting and gives you something to look forward to.
Ask for help if you need it – asking for help doesn’t mean that you are any less able than you used to be, we all need help sometimes – so don’t be afraid to ask.
