Residences – Guardians of Mental Health
Mental Health Week gives us a chance, each year, to reflect on the psychological well-being of our residents and on the broader path that aging takes in our society. Knowing that mental health tends to decline more markedly after the age of 75, it’s only natural for us to feel directly concerned by this reality. Our commitment to providing healthy, humane and supportive environments for those who have chosen our residences as their home continues to be meaningful – and continues to evolve alongside them.
Did you know…
According to Quebec’s Minister of Public Health, 72% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 report good or excellent mental health. This would be due in part to a greater ability to manage emotions that would come with age, more realistic expectations about life, and the relief from work-related stress that retirement would bring.
While this figure depends on a number of other health-related factors, isn’t it still encouraging news for this age group?
A more fragile state of mind
That high level of well-being tends to decline after age 75, however, as new factors begin to affect quality of life. Chronic pain, loss of independence, limited access to resources and social isolation can all take a toll on mental health – contributing to a significant rise in anxiety among those who face them.
“I’m pleased that mental health is taking on an increasingly prominent role in society’s priorities, but unfortunately, I believe that investments – both financial and in human resources – remain insufficient to counter problems that are themselves growing at an exponential rate,” says Liza O’Doherty, Senior Health Director at Le Groupe Maurice.
The need to act proactively is all the more urgent. This is true in society at large, and we see it in our residences as well: current global conflicts and the rising cost of living are genuine sources of worry for residents. Many tell us they feel anxious about the future of their children and grandchildren.
A fragmented approach to health
While numerous studies confirm the reality of psychological distress among some older adults, why does the subject remain taboo for so many of them? According to Liza O’Doherty, people of a certain generation grew up in an era when emotional struggles were often viewed negatively – even as a sign of weakness.
“Not so long ago in Quebec, the idea of confiding in anyone other than a priest was unthinkable! Mental health wasn’t on anyone’s radar; people didn’t even know it existed as a concept. Psychological suffering was simply endured in silence… so it’s perfectly natural to notice a certain reticence among older adults when it comes to talking about their feelings. That’s part of what inspired our partnership with Tel-Aide – to make residents aware of their listening line. Whether you’re worried about a loved one or about yourself, anyone can use this free, confidential service, at any time.
Unfortunately, even today, mental health is seen as something personal, private and even shameful. To break down these prejudices, I believe we urgently need to stop compartmentalizing health by separating mental health from physical health… and from the other dimensions essential to human well-being: emotional, cognitive, spiritual, environmental, financial, and social, to name just a few. Why don’t we talk more about a person’s overall health, rather than treating these aspects in isolation? They are all interconnected and interdependent… and we are, in a sense, a complete ecosystem unto ourselves! To better understand the issues at hand and offer meaningful solutions, we need to look at the whole person.”
The social safety net to the rescue
While physical health is the most intuitive dimension due to its tangible nature, it is the “subtler dimensions” of human well-being that deserve our closest attention when it comes to optimizing overall health. Since isolation is known to be the leading driver of mental health decline in older adults, it’s reassuring to know that residence life helps ward off this societal scourge.
According to Janaka Sivagnanasundaram, clinician nurse and Regional Care Advisor at Le Groupe Maurice, social connections play a decisive role in residents’ mental health and longevity – particularly for those dealing with health issues in our care units.
“I’ve seen the health of certain residents stabilize, and in some cases improve significantly, simply because they felt supported and understood… because they kept having fun, laughing, and taking part in community life, sometimes even beyond the care unit.
Friends they had made when living in independent apartments would come by regularly to visit. They would make their way to the dining room, the pharmacy or the grocery store – all located within the residence – to see familiar faces. Some residents even volunteered to put on concerts in the care wing. For me, there is nothing more powerful than seeing an entire community come together to support those who need it. We are so much happier when we feel less alone.”
Warning signs that still go unnoticed
However, according to the Quebec Order of Psychologists, anxiety disorders and mental health conditions in older adults are frequently mistaken for symptoms of physical problems: insomnia, muscle pain, loss of appetite, increased fatigue or diminished cognitive function (memory, concentration). This reality makes screening considerably more complex.
“Unfortunately, mental health conditions in older individuals often go unnoticed. When someone in the early stages of depression primarily expresses physical complaints, these are instinctively attributed to osteoporosis, for example, or other age-related conditions. Without an attentive social network – made up of people close to them who can pick up on a change in their general state or behaviour – that person’s health is likely to deteriorate more quickly than anyone would wish. Those around them play a key role, not only in prevention, but also in detecting mental health issues in older adults,” says Liza O’Doherty.
Always watching, always there
This is precisely where seniors’ residences prove their full worth. Beyond the services they provide, they ensure a constant human presence from staff and residents alike, with a watchful eye on residents’ well-being each and every day. This closeness makes it possible to detect changes in mood, signs of withdrawal and subtle manifestations of anxiety or distress more quickly; and to act on them without delay.
“Residents are so caring toward one another. They worry when they haven’t seen a neighbour in a few days… and even when they haven’t seen a staff member,” says Janaka Sivagnanasundaram. “I witness this sense of solidarity every day in the residence. It truly is a living community! And like any living community, there are people who are doing well and others who are struggling. Accepting these different realities means accepting human beings in their entirety… in all their complexity and beauty.”
“We feel important when someone asks how we’re doing. We feel seen when someone notices a change in our eyes… valued when someone picks up on our loss of appetite. These small acts of attention make all the difference to a person’s self-esteem. By nurturing social bonds, residences serve as true, caring watchpoints – ones that help not only prevent the deterioration of residents’ psychological health, but also preserve who they are, in the fullest sense,” concludes Liza O’Doherty.
If you have any concerns about someone’s mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to support services such as:
- Tel Aide: 514 935-1101(Montreal) /1 877 935-1101 (toll-free across Quebec)
- Info-Santé: 8-1-1