As much as life after retirement promises a lot of positive changes, it can also be a significant transition. But your retired parents or grandparents don’t have to go through all the troubles alone, as they can usually rely on their friends and loved ones for the support they need.
However, at times, support from loved ones may not be enough. In such cases, it’s best to try various forms of beneficial therapy, such as music therapy, art therapy, and meditation.
Additionally, getting professional help and counselling from a therapist is an excellent way for older people to keep up with the psychological aspects of retirement. Attending counselling sessions can help them in various ways, like learning to process certain emotions or living with health issues.
At Seasons Retirement, our utmost priority is residents’ physical and mental health. We cater to all the needs of our older adults, ensuring they can enjoy a fun-filled and happy post-retirement life.
In this article, we’ll discuss when to consider counselling and the benefits of counselling for seniors.
There is no specific standard or guideline that indicates the time for your loved one to try counselling for older adults.
That being said, your parents or grandparents may need the help of a trained professional when they start dealing with the following changes.
According to the National Institute on Aging, about 85% of older adults deal with one long-term health issue, while 65% have more than two illnesses. This shows that people are more likely to face health challenges as they grow older.
However, physical health issues can also affect people’s mental health. Seeking counselling to help process their emotions around their condition could be helpful for those living with health issues later in life.
Due to various reasons, some older adults may experience mental health issues, which often negatively affect their overall well-being and approach to life.
So, if you or your loved one begin to notice unusual changes in your psychological, memory, or cognitive health, speaking to a mental health professional is the way to go.
Besides physical and mental health issues, there are various lifestyle changes, such as mobility, home relocation, daily routine alterations, and so on, that an older adult may struggle to cope with.
Moreover, these challenges may cause your loved ones to feel like they’re losing their independence, which can be difficult for some to accept. Seeking help from a psychotherapist can help them work on their emotions to feel better.
Dealing with the challenges mentioned above alone is difficult for older persons, so they must be encouraged to speak to someone when they need help or support. Going for long-term counselling and talking to a mental health professional is perhaps the most effective way for older people to sort through these issues.
Attending counselling sessions can benefit your loved one in the following ways.
One of the several ways therapy can help older people is by making them understand that, even with some challenges, they can still be happy. So, if your loved one wants to maintain a positive outlook on life, counselling for aging is a great place to start.
Some older adults have trouble accepting health issues and don’t address them adequately. Nevertheless, if the health issue has the potential to worsen, your loved one should be doing everything they can to prevent or prolong the adverse effects of the condition.
Therapy can help older persons deal with the stress of a new health diagnosis. Also, they will learn to accept and address any unfavourable situation, putting them in a better position to take care of themselves properly.
Being able to manage emotions can be challenging for people of all ages. Suffering a loss or multiple losses can cause this sort of difficulty for older people.
Counselling for seniors is an effective way for an older adult to deal with a painful loss. While therapy cannot bring their loved ones back, it will give them a path to move forward and be happy again.
It’s not uncommon for older adults to hold on to certain life events long ago. More free time allows people to reflect on those events or issues that can turn out to be troubling.
Older adults may find it challenging to work on these issues from the past by themselves. But, with the help of a trained psychotherapist, they should make tremendous progress toward healing.
At times, lifestyle changes mean that older adults may not see their friends or go out socially as much as they would like. This decline in social activity may lead to loneliness, a common mental health concern for this age group.
Talking with a therapist can help older people cope with loneliness. Moreover, the client-therapist bond that is formed should be a meaningful form of interaction for them.
Going for therapy sessions or participating in in-home counselling for seniors can help your older loved ones come to terms with accepting help from others. In addition, a mental health professional can help your parents or grandparents hone their communication skills, enhancing the benefits of care they will receive from others.
Your parents and grandparents should not deal with their mental and emotional challenges alone. It’s best to encourage them to seek help from trained professionals.
If your loved one is looking for a comfortable place to call their home, Seasons Retirement offers various living options in a welcoming environment for older adults in Canada.