According to a July 2024 report from Axios Dallas, the population of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, grew by 6.1% from 2020 to 2023. Even more impressive is that, among all age brackets, the 65+ range grew the most, registering a 15% increase.
All those figures show that the Dallas, TX, area is senior-friendly. However, it also brings to light the potential problems that many older adults experience, such as depression. While anyone may experience this mental health problem, seniors, especially those who live alone, are more susceptible.
Fortunately, many healthy aging practices that serve as coping mechanisms for depression exist. Read on, as the compassionate team at Caruth Haven Court, our Dallas assisted living and memory care community, has compiled this guide to share emotional wellness tips and strategies for managing depression in elderly adults.
Exercise Regularly
WebMD says that one in four older adults has a mental health problem. Depression and dementia are the most common, with 5% to 7% of adults 60 and over experiencing them.
The good news is that exercise can help not just with depression but also dementia.
The Science Behind Exercise
During exercise, the body releases endorphins. They are natural chemicals and neurotransmitters that serve as messengers in the nervous system.
Harvard Health Publishing says there are about 20 different types of endorphins. They act as natural painkillers, creating positive feelings and sensations of well-being.
How Exercise Helps
The feelings of wellness that exercise-generated endorphins create can help seniors experiencing depressive symptoms by:
- Promoting a sense of well-being
- Elevating moods
- Reducing stress
In addition, exercise provides a much-welcome break from daily stressors and worries, helping promote optimal emotional and mental health in aging. By engaging in these activities, older adults can think about something else that’s better and healthier for their minds and bodies instead of dwelling on unpleasant thoughts and wallowing in feelings of depression.
Exercise can also help seniors feel more confident and improve their overall well-being. For example, the U.S. CDC explains that regular physical activity benefits adults 65 and older by:
- Lowering the risks of depression and dementia
- Minimizing feelings of anxiety
- Improving sleep quality
- Reducing blood pressure levels
- Augmenting balance and coordination
- Improving bone health
- Cutting the risks of cardiovascular problems like heart disease and stroke
All those benefits also help seniors remain more in control and independent, which can further avert depression. For instance, exercise can reduce the risk of falls that can lead to disabling, depression-inducing injuries by improving balance and coordination.
Spend More Time in Nature
An article on ScienceDirect.com says that nature exposure can benefit people by:
- Decreasing negative emotions
- Enhancing positive emotions
- Promoting well-being
- Positively impacting emotion regulation processes
- Reducing rumination (the act of repetitively thinking of or focusing on negative, distressing feelings and thoughts)
- Minimizing worries
All those benefits can be invaluable for older adults experiencing depressive symptoms. Luckily, seniors in Dallas, TX, have easy and convenient access to many gardens and parks, such as:
- Caruth Park
- CenterPark Garden
- White Rock Creek Greenbelt
- Fair Oaks Park
- Coffee Park
All those green spaces are ideal for seniors to relax, exercise, or socialize. They’re also just a few short miles from Caruth Haven Court, our beautiful and welcoming senior living community in Dallas, TX.
Strengthen Existing Bonds and Make New Connections
Social connections refer to a person’s experiences of being close to others, whether family members, friends, or neighbors. It involves different emotions, including feelings of being:
- Valued
- Respected
- Care for
- Loved
- Appreciated
Individuals with high-quality social connections feel a sense of belonging and receive the care and support they need.
The Consequences of Social Disconnection
Older adults who have no social connections can experience the following:
- Anxiety: Disconnection from others can make a person more likely to doubt themselves, feel lonely, and have a distorted view of others and themselves
- Loneliness and isolation: Having no social connections can disrupt a person’s fundamental human need to belong and socialize, resulting in feelings of emptiness, being alone, and loneliness
- Depression: Which could arise from or worsen due to anxiety, loneliness, and negative self-perception
Aging can make older adults particularly vulnerable to isolation and social disconnection. For example, seniors may lose loved ones and friends or develop conditions that make it more challenging to get out of the house and socialize.
Tips for Older Adults to Socialize More
Older adults in Dallas, TX, still have many ways to stay social, such as through:
- Keeping in touch with family and friends, including via text messages, video chats, and phone calls
- Setting regular dates and in-person meetings with loved ones and friends
- Participating in hobbies
- Engaging in social, recreational, and physical activities and events
Our assisted living and memory care community in Dallas, TX, makes it easier for our residents to socialize by providing them easy access to a full calendar of daily events and activities. From fitness classes to movie nights, game sessions, and TED Talks, we offer many activities to help them stay engaged and connected.
Seek Senior Depression Support
For seniors in Dallas struggling with depression, please know that you can find support through various avenues, including:
- Specialized services from Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS)
- Texas Mental Health Resources
- 988 Crisis Lifeline
The above organizations provide counseling, support, and resources for individuals, including older adults, with mental health problems, including depression. Please reach out to them if you or an aging family member requires immediate assistance.
Implement These Coping Mechanisms for Depression
Engaging in regular exercise, spending time in nature, maintaining existing and building new social connections, and seeking specialized support can all be helpful coping mechanisms for depression. The most important thing to remember here is that help and support are always available, whether from family members, friends, or non-profit organizations.
Are you or an older loved one considering transitioning to a senior living community to enjoy your golden years to the fullest instead of worrying about mental health woes? If so, we invite you to explore Caruth Haven Court! Our beautiful senior living community in Dallas, TX, looks forward to showing you how we help our residents age with grace, happiness, and a sense of life satisfaction.
Call us today to arrange a tour, and we’ll be happy to provide one with a complimentary gourmet lunch for you and a guest.
