When your loved ones reach their golden years, it is important for you to stay in touch with them and visit often to ensure their safety and well-being. However, with so much focus on the physical health of aging loved ones, it can be easy to overlook how they are doing emotionally.
Seniors may face a number of emotional challenges as they age, including loneliness, loss of independence, and physical or cognitive limitations that can lead to depression and other mental illnesses. Senior women who live alone are especially prone to emotional challenges as they may often feel isolated from friends and loved ones. If mental health issues go unchecked, they can lead to other problems such as poor physical health, cognitive decline, social isolation, substance abuse, and decreased quality of life.
If your aging mother is at risk of or experiencing mental health issues, it is important to provide the support she needs to help improve her emotional state. This Mother’s Day, make it a point to visit or talk to your aging mom and ask her how she is doing both physically and emotionally. An in-person visit is ideal because you can assess her appearance, body language, and the condition of her home which can help you better understand her emotional state.
If you believe your mother needs help due to her emotional state, there are things you can do to enhance her well-being and quality of life. In this guide, we discuss practical and compassionate ways you can emotionally support your aging mom. You can also help ensure that your mom gets the care and support she needs with professional home care services from Assisting Hands Home Care – Schaumburg.
Stay Connected and Communicate Regularly
Some of the most common emotional issues that seniors face stem from feelings of loneliness and isolation. Regardless of the root of her emotional issues, they can easily go unnoticed if you do not contact your mother regularly.
You should make it a point to check in on your aging mother regularly to speak with her and assess her physical and emotional well-being. Visiting her is the most effective way to check in on her, but you can also do so with a phone call or video chat if you live too far away for frequent visits. When talking to her, be an active listener. Allow her to share her thoughts and feelings without judgement. This will help encourage her to open up about her emotions and fears which can help you better gauge her emotional state.
Show Patience and Empathy
When talking to your senior mother, it is important to be patient and empathetic. Understand that her mood, memory, and energy levels may not be what they used to be and may even change frequently.
As she speaks, make sure to validate her feelings and experiences without dismissing her concerns. During challenging or confusing moments, offer gentle reassurance to provide the support and comfort she needs.
Involve Her in Family Life
Actively involving your mother with your family is crucial for her emotional well-being as feeling isolated from family can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Make sure you invite your mother to every family gathering, outing, and event and allow her to make decisions about these events or even host a gathering to give her a sense of purpose.
Regularly visiting with family allows your senior mother to interact and form closer bonds with her children and grandchildren which will give her a sense of belonging.
Encourage Social Engagement
In addition to spending time with family, your senior mother should also socialize with friends and peers. Encourage her to participate in senior groups, church activities, or clubs where she is bound to meet and mingle with people in her community. Pursuing hobbies and interests is another great way for your mother to meet people that share common ground.
You can encourage your senior mother to socialize by helping her find and sign up for groups and activities in her local community that interest her. You can even join her in these activities until she feels comfortable enough going on her own. Helping her stay socially active reduces isolation and loneliness which can improve her emotional well-being.
Promote Mental and Emotional Wellness
Promoting your senior mother’s mental and emotional wellness requires a proactive approach. Encourage her to participate in light exercise and meditation, both of which can boost her mood and help ward off negative emotions. Additionally, ensure she has access to her favorite hobbies and activities, as these can bring her joy and a sense of purpose.
Make it a point to celebrate her achievements no matter how big or small. Give her praise for making new friends or completing a personal project and acknowledge her contributions to your family. Helping your mother feel valued can do wonders for her mental and emotional health.
If your mother is experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, consider reaching out to a professional for support. Effective treatments, including therapy and medication, can help manage mental health conditions, enhance her well-being, and significantly improve her overall quality of life.
Respect Her Independence and Autonomy
When addressing your mother’s needs, health, and emotional well-being, it’s essential to honor her independence and autonomy. Involve her in every decision about her care, ensuring she retains a sense of control over her daily life. Support her desire to stay independent while gently offering assistance when needed, striking a balance between her dignity and the help she requires.
It’s important to approach discussions about her needs with care, ensuring she feels heard and supported for the sake of her emotional well-being. Be mindful not to be overbearing or make her feel like a burden in the process.
Be Present and Create Quality Time
The most important thing you can do to support your aging mom is to be present and spend quality time with her. When you visit her, plan meaningful activities and outings that will bring her joy and help strengthen your bond. Reminiscing with her by going through old photo albums and telling stories about some of your favorite memories and relatives who are no longer with you can help her feel a sense of belonging and remind her that she is the matriarch of your family.
Whatever you do during your visit or conversation with your mother, she will deeply value the time you spent with her. Your presence and support will make her feel cherished and special.
In-Home Care from Assisting Hands
Supporting your aging mom emotionally is one of the most meaningful things you can do as she enters this new chapter of life. While aging brings its share of challenges, your love, presence, and understanding can make all the difference in helping her feel valued, connected, and supported. From simple conversations to shared experiences, every thoughtful gesture helps strengthen your bond and reinforces her sense of purpose and belonging. Remember, it’s not about having all the answers, it’s about showing up with compassion and making sure she knows she is never alone.
The reason many seniors may experience emotional or mental health issues as they age is because they lose the human connection they had in their younger years. While you and your family may try your best to regularly visit and check in on your aging loved ones, you may not be able to be there for them as much as they need. However, you can ensure that they always receive the necessary care and support by working with a home care agency like Assisting Hands Home Care – Schaumburg.
At Assisting Hands Home Care, we offer in-home care services for seniors who could benefit from the presence of a professional caregiver. Our caregivers not only ensure that your loved one’s care needs are met, but they also form deep personal bonds with your loved one by getting to know them through meaningful conversation. You can expect our caregivers to engage your loved ones in their favorite activities and plan fun, safe outings while assisting with personal care tasks, meal preparation, transportation, and light housekeeping tasks.
You and your family can rest assured that your loved ones are in good hands with our trained and licensed caregivers. You can learn more about our in-home care services in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Inverness, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines, IL and the surrounding areas by calling us at (847) 448-0844.
