Seniors and Mental Health

Have you felt depressed in the last two weeks?  Have you been feeling lonely at all in the last two weeks?  

These are a couple of the questions everyone is asked at a doctor’s appointment these days.  How do you answer them?

Are you retired so no longer in a social work setting?  Do you have moments of feeling lonely?

The good news is that there is a lot of awareness around the needs of you as a senior and your mental health.  If you answered yes to any of the questions above there is hope.

Staying connected is one way to help maintain a positive attitude.

In Massachusetts you can find options to help:

Senior centers offer many services from exercise facilities, card games, sports like chair volleyball and book groups. They often offer rides to get you there too.

For mobile seniors, volunteer opportunities to meet new people and foster relationships.  There are programs that pair seniors with younger generations.

For those of you who are digital, there are online workshops offered to keep you up to speed with technology.

Additionally, you can take up a hobby, join a book club and participate in a senior exercise class.  All of these get you involved and with other people.  You might even make some new friends.

Eating and sleeping well are important parts of keeping yourself happy physically.  

Engaging in activities and meeting with family and friends are ways for you to keep you mentally happy and positive.