Guest Post by Kent Elliot – At Home Aging

As a senior, you may face a lot of stressors as you age. Common stressors include loss of a loved one, decreased balance and mobility, depression, and changes in vision and hearing. Aging gracefully can be challenging, so make sure you’re accessing the care you need to overcome these stressors and enjoy a great quality of life.

Decreased Mobility

Decreased mobility has a number of causes, such as arthritis, an injury, or a sedentary lifestyle. You may use a cane or walker and need extra time when walking across the street or shopping for groceries. This can be discouraging, but don’t let your decreased mobility become a source of stress. Focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t, and stay active. Go for walks every day, try some chair exercises at home, or even join a senior fitness group. Reduce clutter in your home and rearrange the space to keep you safe.

Changes in Vision and Hearing 

As we age, it’s normal to experience changes in vision and hearing. Despite these changes, you can improve your eyesight with the proper prescription glasses and invest in hearing aids to keep you socially engaged and active. Don’t sacrifice your senses or let your hearing loss lead to depression. Visit an audiologist for a hearing test and consultation.

Loss of a Loved One

Have you recently lost a loved one? The grieving process looks different for everyone, and if you’ve lost a life partner, you’re facing a major adjustment period. Grieving is healthy and natural, but it can be challenging to distinguish between grief and depression. When facing the loss of a loved one, don’t let sadness become part of your everyday life. Instead, focus on spending time with your family and friends. Don’t make any major decisions immediately after a loss, and try to get enough sleep. Maintain a healthy diet and stick to your exercise routine as you work through this major loss in your life.

How to Cope with Stressors

If you’ve been experiencing a lot of stress, talk about your stressors with a family member or friend, and schedule an appointment with your doctor. Make sure you’re monitoring your blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, and staying active. This will promote good health and make it easier to cope with the stressors you’re facing. Don’t forget to make time to do the things you love like going for a walk in the woods or reading a good book, and don’t forget to stay socially engaged.

Finding Professional Help

Sometimes you may feel anxious, worried, or depressed. If you’re concerned about your emotional well-being, seek help from a mental health professional and get to the root of how you’re feeling. With Medicare Plan B coverage, you’ll be covered when accessing mental health services, and you can benefit from counseling or psychiatric health care. Your Medicare plan will also cover one depression screening per year, so book an appointment with your primary doctor and monitor your mental health.

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For seniors, retirement offers a chance to focus on hobbies, spend time with family, travel, and enjoy life to the fullest. But along with these rewards can come a number of stressors like health problems, mobility issues, or social isolation. Watch for the signs of emotional distress such as changes in health, decreased physical ability, loneliness, and loss of purpose. If you notice these changes in yourself of a loved one, review your Medicare coverage, and access the mental health services you need.

Kent Elliot is a retired architect with a passion for dogs, DIY, and universal design. After a stroke left him with mobility issues, he thought he would need to move out of his home and into an assisted living community. He created At Home Aging to share what he’s learned and is currently working on a book.

Need Help Or Resources?

For information on the services that DSCC offers to help seniors with some of life’s stressors, check out our services page or send us a note.