How much do we know about aging and mental health?

When you think about getting older, you might focus on how it affects the body physically, but there’s also a connection between aging and mental health.

Like their younger counterparts, older adults can experience mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. As we age, we’re also more likely to lose social connections, become isolated and experience loneliness.

Fortunately, many of the same lifestyle habits that support good physical health can also boost mental health as we age. Keep reading to learn more about mental health during the aging process.

How aging impacts mental health

People of all ages are at risk of mental illnesses—and the number of people experiencing mental health problems increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s especially true for older adults, who struggled with isolation during the pandemic.

According to the National Council on Aging, as many as 30% of older adults reported experiencing a mental health disorder between April 2020 and May 2022. That represents a total of 20 million older adults.

Older adults are often more isolated from other people for several reasons, including retirement and the deaths of family members and friends. These changes can lead to loneliness, which recent research has shown can be as dangerous to health in some cases as smoking.

Social isolation and loneliness can affect both physical and mental health, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, anxiety and depression. Older adults who are lonely may also be at a higher risk of getting sick due to a weakened immune system.

Stress experienced both as an older adult and earlier in life can also take a toll on mental health. Chronic stress and extreme stress are both associated with health issues such as cognitive decline, digestive problems and mental illnesses.

What mental health problems look like in older adults

Older people with mental health issues have symptoms, including:

• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Anger or irritability
• Appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headaches, digestive issues or pain
• Mood changes
• Sadness
• Suicidal thoughts
• Worry or obsessive thinking

Those around older adults who are struggling with their mental health may also notice behaviors such as engaging in high-risk activities or seeing and hearing things that other people do not.

If you recognize the signs of a mental health issue in yourself or a loved one, talk with a medical provider. There are now many different medications and therapies available to treat mental illnesses successfully.

What you can do to protect your mental health

While changes related to aging can increase the risk of mental health struggles, there’s a lot you can do to stay mentally strong. Mental health includes your emotional, psychological and social well-being, so step one is to keep in tune with how you’re doing.

Pay attention to your mood, emotions and routines. Talk with a University Medical Center New Orleans primary care provider if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms outlined above or simply feel off.

You can also take other steps to care for your mental health:

Build and maintain relationships. Being socially active as you get older can help you avoid loneliness and the health effects it can cause. Stay engaged with activities, organizations and people you enjoy and look for new ones that catch your attention, too.

Find healthy ways to manage stress. Many people turn to fast food or another unhealthy coping tool when feeling stressed. Instead, find ways, such as meditation, prayer, a hobby, exercise or spending time with friends, to reduce stress in your life.

Get out and about. As tempting as it can be sometimes, try not to stay in your house all the time. Changes in scenery can boost your mental health, so head for the library, your church, a restaurant, a museum or even the grocery store.

Practice healthy habits. You can protect your mental health with many of the same habits that protect your physical health. Move your body regularly, eat a diet filled with fruits and vegetables, get plenty of quality sleep and stay hydrated.

If you could use extra care for your mental health, University Medical Center New Orleans is here to help. We offer behavioral health services and support.