HEALTH Keeping mentally healthy in later years

MEET UP?Stave off poor mental health by becoming involved in local activities and groups.

Keeping mentally healthy  in later years


Looking after yourself and reaching out to others is key

Jannah Walshe

It is said that as a nation we are ageing. We live longer and healthier lives. Advances in health care and greater knowledge about self-care mean that we can enjoy a higher quality of life right into old age. We now know the importance of minding ourselves physically to get the best out of life.
But what about mental fitness? This can have a huge impact on quality of life in older age. However, it is often forgotten about. Low mood is often dismissed as an inevitable reaction to a health issue or odd behaviour attributed to eccentricity. Many older people struggle on without the right help – or any help at all.
Incidences of depression and other mental-health issues can increase in the later years. This is down to many factors, such as daily activities becoming harder, the death of loved ones, loss of independence and physical-health issues.

Warning signs
But when do you need to be worried about yourself or someone you know? The following are not normal characteristics of ageing:

• Depressed mood lasting more than a couple of weeks
• Loss of interest in people or activities previously enjoyed
• Increased irritability
• Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
• Social withdrawal
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or helplessness

If any of the above symptoms are noticed, it is imperative that the appropriate help is sought. Don’t be tempted to put it down to old age and hope that it will pass or not get worse. Regardless of age, it is not necessary or okay to be suffering with poor mental health. If you are feeling any of the above, talk to someone, such as family, friends, your doctor, public health nurse or counsellor – or even call a help line.

What to do
Many of the same things we do to keep physically healthy contribute to help keep us mentally fit and healthy too. Things like eating nutrient rich foods and staying active by getting moderate exercise may seem like very basic tips, but they are actually the bedrock of keeping up mental and physical fitness.
Isolation plays a key part in mental health issues at this stage of life. It may be tempting for an older person to withdraw and not bring any attention to themselves. This can become habitual and harder to break out of as time goes by. To combat this, it is key to look around and search for local activities and groups to become involved in. If physical health limits the options available, find out about telephone support or befriending services in the area. Ask around. People are often only too happy to share what they know.
Taking that first step and putting yourself out there often has a snowball effect. Knowing one person leads to knowing someone else; by becoming involved in one group you learn about another and so on. If you’re feeling isolated, it can seem impossible to break out of it. But taking that first small step can often yield surprising results.

Reach out
Family resource centres provide many support services for older people, including befriending services, telephone support, social gatherings and volunteering opportunities. There are many family resource centres in Mayo. To find one near you call 01 4200580, email info@familyresource.ie or visit www.familyresource.ie/centre_mayo.php.
Active Retirement Ireland has many groups throughout Mayo. Call 01 8733836 for more information.
To find out about Mens’ Sheds in Mayo, visit www.menssheds.ie, email info@menssheds.ie or call 051 448725.
For a list of support services available to older people, visit www.mentalhealthireland.ie.

Jannah Walshe is a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Castlebar and Westport. A pre-accredited member of The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, she can be contacted via  www.jannahwalshe.ie or at 085 1372528.