Emotional well-being is multi-dimensional and excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle includes the whole person – physically, emotionally, tension, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating or spiritually, intellectually and socially. Challenges in any forgetfulness. of these areas can affect one or all of the other areas. 3. Depression Promoting and ensuring emotional well-being There is a difference between feeling sad or blue and involves proper nutrition, exercising your mind actual depression. Depression also is not a normal part and body, learning and using adaptive coping skills, of aging. It is estimated that 15 out of 100 older adults positive thinking, engaging in meaningful relationships experience depression, but the condition is treatable. and having a sense of purpose. There are many Some signs of depression include experiencing a challenges – life transitions, anxiety, depression, depressed mood most of the day, loss of interest or feelings of loneliness, and alcohol or prescription drug pleasure in doing most activities, significant weight misuse – that older adults may experience that can loss or gain, problems sleeping, fatigue or low impact their sense of emotional well-being. energy, decrease in the ability to concentrate or make decisions, or thinking it might be better if you were no 1. Life Transitions longer living. Life transitions such as downsizing, a geographic move, health problems, loss of independence or the 4. Feelings of Loneliness loss of a loved one or pet may serve as challenges for Loneliness refers to feelings of being alone or older adults. The older we are, the more losses we without companionship, social isolation or sadness. experience. Grief is a normal reaction to loss. If you It also includes a desire to have close and meaningful are experiencing grief, it is important to know that relationships with people who show mutual care and there is no right way to grieve. The length of time it understanding. Loneliness can be brought on by things takes to process and work through grief is different for such as retirement, a geographic move, the death of a each person. Sometimes grief becomes complicated, spouse or loved one, living alone, a lack of family and resulting in anxiety or depression. social support, and/or social isolation. Loneliness can impact one’s health and may trigger feelings of grief. 2. Anxiety Anxiety is not a normal part of aging. Roughly 20 5. Alcohol Misuse out of 100 older adults experience anxiety, and the There are 2.5 million older adults who misuse condition is treatable. There is a difference between the alcohol, with anywhere from six to 11 percent of common use of the term “anxiety” and experiencing elderly hospital admissions being the result of alcohol symptoms of anxiety that require professional or drug misuse. Furthermore, nearly 50 percent of attention. Anxiety is more serious when the number nursing home residents have alcohol-related problems. of symptoms become more frequent, ongoing or Drinking too much alcohol over a long period of interfere with your daily life. Symptoms may include time can lead to cancer, liver damage and worsen continued (918) 664-9000
Emotional Well-Being & Older Adults • LIFE’s Vintage Guide
47