Although older adults can experience many of the same challenges as younger adults, the process of aging brings with it a set of unique issues that can affect our mental and physical health. It’s relatively normal to experience some changes in cognition as we age – memory loss is one example of a cognitive change that can affect an individual’s day-to-day life and impair one’s ability to regulate emotions.
Although older adults can experience many of the same challenges as younger adults, the process of aging brings with it a set of unique issues that can affect our mental and physical health. It’s relatively normal to experience some changes in cognition as we age – memory loss is one example of a cognitive change that can affect an individual’s day-to-day life and impair one’s ability to regulate emotions. Relatively few older adults will experience more significant changes to their memory, thinking, and behavior that may warrant a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to cognitive changes later in life, our risk of developing health and physical problems increases as we age, and we more often must cope with the loss of friends or family. Adjusting to such losses and changes can be understandably distressing and can lead to mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, or sleep disturbance.
If you or a loved one is having difficulty adapting to the changes that come with aging, therapy can help. Seeking support from a trained psychiatric nurse practitioner can help you better understand the unique challenges of aging and help with the development of coping skills and alternative perspectives. Many therapy modalities can be helpful for those dealing with aging concerns; art therapy, for instance, is an example of a modality that can be particularly helpful to those with cognitive impairments, as it does not rely on verbal communication. If you have been diagnosed with a neurological condition, such as dementia, you may benefit from seeking more specialized care from a clinician specifically trained in this area.
Find psychiatric nurse practitioners in Los Ojos who specialize in working with older adults and aging related concerns below. Psychiatric nurse practitioners have been vetted by the Zencare team for clinically rigorous, quality care. Visit their profiles to watch an introductory video and book a free initial call to find a good fit!
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