According to a National Poll on Healthy Aging, one in three adults ages 50 to 80 feels isolated from others. Feeling isolated was common in seniors who reported fair or poor mental and physical health.

Learning how to navigate emotional challenges like loneliness and anxiety can prove essential to your quality of life. Not sure how to start managing elderly emotions? Read on for our tips on senior mental health support today.

Emotional Well-Being for Seniors

Social isolation indicates a lack of connection to family, friends, or a community. Loneliness, however, is a subjective feeling of being alone (even during social interactions). The risk of loneliness can increase if you’re socially isolated.

Social isolation is a measurable decrease or lack of social engagement. Loneliness is an emotional experience.

Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, fear, and dread. It can be a normal reaction to stress that causes physical symptoms like tension and a rapid heartbeat. According to the National Council on Aging, anxiety can affect as many as 20% of older adults.

Aging can increase your likelihood of social isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. Risk factors include:

Living alone
Life disruptions (like moving)
Bereavement
Physical disabilities or mobility issues
A lack of family or social support
Health challenges (such as vision or hearing loss)

Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can increase feelings of loneliness. It could cause you to further withdraw from social settings, creating an endless cycle.

Health Impacts

Loneliness and anxiety can affect your mental and physical health. Lonely or isolated seniors are at a greater risk for all-cause mortality.

According to one study, people with strong social ties have a 50% greater chance of survival compared to others. Social isolation and loneliness could increase your risk of serious health conditions. For example, both are associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.

Loneliness can trigger cortisol production. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can increase your blood pressure. This could stress out your heart and increase your risk of hardened arteries.

According to the American Heart Association, isolation may increase your risk of a heart attack by 29% and stroke risk by 32%. Loneliness may lead to other health problems, including:

Impaired immune function
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Dementia

Isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of depression and anxiety. Symptoms can affect your mood and outlook on life.

Emotional well-being for seniors, physical health, and mortality are connected. Using tools for coping with aging and loneliness can benefit your mental and physical health.

Signs You Need Senior Mental Health Support

Recognizing the signs that you need senior mental health support can encourage you to make a change for the better. You may need emotional care for older adults if you:

Complain about feeling lonely or left out
Withdraw from activities or hobbies you once enjoyed
Feel apathetic, irritable, or sad
Struggle to communicate or engage with others
Notice a decline in your physical health
Note changes to your weight or appearance

Remember, anxiety and loneliness can affect your physical and mental health. If these symptoms sound familiar, consider building new social connections.

Emotional Care for Older Adults

A few changes to your routine can help you combat the emotional challenges you’re facing. Here are some ways you can start coping with aging, anxiety, and loneliness.

Build and Maintain Social Connections

Explore your local senior living community to discover upcoming events and engaging programs. Spending time with your peers can help you combat feelings of loneliness.

Consider joining a group that meets regularly. These include:

Walking groups
Gardening clubs
Book or movie clubs
Bingo nights
Knitting, quilting, or crochet circles

Explore new hobbies or pick up an old one you abandoned. Spending time with like-minded individuals will help you forge new connections.

Some activities can offer mental and physical benefits. For example, birdwatching and hiking can benefit your cardiovascular health. Connecting with nature can reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Picking up new hobbies will encourage the brain to build new neural pathways. This could slow cognitive decline.

Schedule time every day to reach out to friends and family members outside of your community. For example, you can schedule a video call to catch up with loved ones.

If you’re navigating feelings of grief after losing a loved one, consider joining a support group. You can learn from the experiences of others who understand the emotions you’re experiencing.

Start Volunteering

Give back to your community by volunteering. You can enjoy a moment of fulfillment and find a deeper sense of purpose. Consider supporting a local charity or helping out at a food bank.

Choose volunteer opportunities that align with your interests. You can meet like-minded individuals and forge new connections with your community.

Check your senior living community’s activities calendar for upcoming volunteer opportunities. You can find a variety of outings, educational classes, and more to continue combating feelings of loneliness.

Take Classes

Learning new skills and continuing your education will give you a new sense of purpose. Classes can cover topics like:

Literature
History
Technology
Cooking
Music
Photography
Languages

Build a study group with other people in your classes. You can create new social connections and have fun learning.

Tips for Managing Anxiety

To manage your anxiety:

Exercise
Get enough sleep
Use deep breathing exercises
Journal
Meditate
Know your triggers
Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol

Consider requesting professional help. Talk therapy (one-on-one or in a group setting) can give you tools for managing elderly emotions. You can use cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness exercises to manage your anxiety.

Navigate Senior Emotional Challenges Today

Learning how to navigate senior emotional challenges can take time. Try a few different techniques to determine what works best for you. Remember, you can always build new social connections in your local senior living community.

Discover the best-assisted living community in Lawton, OK: Morada Lawton. We offer individualized care plans to meet the needs of each unique resident.

Our continuum of care, engaging programs, and comfortable living options allow residents to thrive in mind and body. Contact us now to schedule your tour.