ENSURE MENTAL HEALTH OF ELDERLY CITIZENS

Dr C. Veerender, a psychologist says the elderly often show symptoms of insecurity, depression or hallucination which “leads a person to act erratically causing family members to think it is intentional. In such situations, families decide to place their elders in old age homes, instead of providing psychological interventions that can help.” He said that sending senior citizens with psychological problems to an old age home that does not support counselling would only worsen their mental state.

Dr Naresh Vadlamani, a psychiatrist at Columbus Hospital, said, “Elderly people diagnosed with mental health problems and physical ailments like heart diseases are at high risk. Rehabilitation programmes will enable such patients to thrive rather than deteriorate. Activities like tambola, chess and other community programmes enable depressive elderly people cope with day to day life thus increasing their overall life span”.

Dr Vadlamani suggests that old age homes appoint case managers who can schedule psychiatry visits and promote mental health awareness.

Senior citizens with undiagnosed and diagnosed mental illnesses should undergo psychological intervention prior to the family’s decision to place them in a senior citizen’s home. The housing of elderly people in old age homes that are underequipped to offer individualised services heightens the risk of mental derailment, Dr Vadlamani said.

It is essential to ensure the well-being of elderly people by using resources like social support programmes and constant mental health progress reporting.

OLD AGE HOMES urged to appoint case managers who can schedule psychiatry visits.