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Mental Health and Aging

Like physical health, mental health involves a continuum from wellness to illness. The absence of mental illness does not mean that one is mentally healthy. Mental health is influenced by physical health, social support, financial resources and participation in physical, mental and social activities. Those who are mentally healthy have a sense of meaning and purpose in life, perform competently in social roles, cope effectively with stressors, maintain healthy relationships for with others, and enjoy their leisure. What is Mental Illness? Find out by visitng the American Psychiatric Association then find out how to achieve good mental health by visiting the American Psychology Association website.

There are a number of factors that affect one's mental health:

Physical Health

At any age, physical health has a strong impact on mental health. In later life, this association is even stronger because older adults typically have several chronic health conditions that can affect physical as well as mental health. The relationship between health problems and mental health is circular; health problems increase risk for depression, and depression increases risk for health problems. Mental health problems often occur concommitantly with other physical health problems. For example, the Co-occurrence of depression with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders, is explored on the National Mental Health Association web.

Social Support

Maintaining close relationships with others for mutual social support is an important element in maintaining mental health and promoting successful aging. Usually the most important close relationship are with family members, such as spouse, daughter, son, sibling, granddaughter or grandson. In later life, family relationships can be strained by financial difficulties, health problems, disagreements with children, and many other factors. Other common sources of social support are neighbors, close friends, or church members. Spiritual beliefs and practices can be very important in later life and contribute to mental health.

As the numbers of our relationships shrink, the remaining ones may become more burdened. It is not unusual to find aged spouses or siblings living in relative isolation and trying to maintain themselves with very few social supports. Furthermore, the health risks of living alone increase with advancing years of age.

Financial Resources

Both physical health and mental health are affected by the adequacy of financial resources. Older adults who are unable to afford eyeglasses, hearing devices, or dentures they need are more likely to have poorer physical and mental health. Those with financial difficulties are also more likely to be noncompliant with drug therapy, to limit their participation in social activities because of sensory impairment, and to lack a balanced diet. Those who have a chronic mental health disorder may face financial issues because of the limited availability of health insurance coverage for mental health care.

Physical Activity

Regular exercise can contribute significantly towards optimal mental health. Even a small amount of exercise can improve attitude, reduce stress, improve sleep, and prevent mental health problems. A study of healthy septeganarians by the MacArthur Group on Successful Aging found that those who had the most physical activity had the best mental functioning 8 years later.

Mental Activity

Staying mentally active is also important for optimal mental health. Older adults who practice life long learning by reading new books, taking classes, playing games, or doing mental exercises are less likely to experience cognitive decline or develop Alzheimer's disease. Some find it easy to adjust to retirement, while others find it more challenging. Those who value work as a primary source of money, respect, self-esteem, and power may become depressed upon retirement. Those who find work fulfilling may be better off continuing to work part-time rather than retiring completely.

Social Activity

Loss of a spouse is common in late life, particularly for women since they have a longer life expectancy and often marry older men. Widows who interact primarily with other couples may find that the death of a spouse leads to a smaller social network. After the death of a spouse, the widow may need to learn how to be a single person. About 52,000 older Americans remarry each year, although many choose to remain single.