Each year, new studies come out showing that it’s just as important for seniors to take care of their mental health as it is to take care of their physical health. Mental wellbeing doesn’t just improve their quality of life; it can reduce the risk of heart disease, delay mental and physical decline and more. In fact, happiness and life satisfaction are more strongly associated with long life than factors like genes and social class.
However, seniors often need help caring for their mental health. Many of them feel isolated, stuck or cooped up, and physical disabilities can often exacerbate those feelings. For example, older people who need mobility assistance often struggle to get outside, and they may feel like a burden when they engage in social activities.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of ways for Northwest Arkansas seniors to care for themselves in. Here are some of the best resources in the area to help your loved one care for themselves and stay engaged.
Mental Health Resources for Northwest Arkansas Seniors
Want to help your loved one take care of themselves and improve their mental health? Northwest Arkansas seniors have plenty of options. From green spaces and history museums to professional assistance managing their care, here are some of our favorite resources in the area.
- Spend Time Outdoors
One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve mental health is to go outside. In fact, one study found that spending just two hours a week outdoors in a green space like a park or a forest can reduce stress, improve sleep and improve both mental and physical health.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go outside with your loved one, you’re in luck: Creekmore Park is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny day. In addition to walking trails and benches perfect for an easy stroll or a few hours reading outside, Creekmore Park is also home to a variety of senior-friendly activities for the whole family. Tee up with your loved one at one of the two 18-hole mini golf courses, then board the Creekmore Express: a free-to-ride miniature train that runs a circuit about the park.
Make sure to pay Creekmore Park a visit this December, when the Creekmore Express becomes a nightly tour of the park’s animated holiday light show.
- Learn Your History
To keep up their mental health, it’s crucial for seniors to keep learning. By continually satisfying their curiosity, they can stay mentally engaged, which can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia. It’s equally important for older people to feel connected to something greater, whether that’s community, spirituality or history. That connection gives them a sense of meaning and belonging, which can improve life satisfaction and resilience.
That means a great way to improve your loved one’s mental health is to bring them somewhere they can learn about something meaningful—somewhere like the U.S. Marshals Museum. The Marshals were the first law enforcement agency in the United States, and this museum documents their storied 235-year history of building and upholding the rule of law in our country.
The Marshals Museum is an independent nonprofit, not a government agency, so it doesn’t accept Golden Age or America the Beautiful Passes. However, it does offer discounted tickets to Northwest Arkansas seniors, as well as military or law enforcement veterans.
- Find Expert Support
Uncertainty about the future can have a serious impact on mental health. It can lead to anxiety, confusion and a sense of powerlessness. However, you can address it head-on by sitting down with experts to build a concrete plan for the future. From care managers to attorneys specializing in estate planning or elder law, there really are people there to help.
One of these organizations that we’ve grown to trust is Generations Legal, a law practice devoted to serving the seniors of Northwest Arkansas. They can help your loved one with a wide variety of estate planning services like wills and trusts, power of attorney and medical directives.
Get Support From Companion Care
One of the most important factors for senior mental health is companionship. Simple day-to-day connection can add warmth and happiness to their everyday lives. With companion care from FirstLight Home Care of Northwest Arkansas, your loved one won’t just have someone to help them with activities they struggle with, like transportation or bathing—they’ll have a trusted friend they know they can lean on.
Want to learn more about how we can help? Contact us to learn about your care option.
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