One of the most loved comedians, actors and philanthropist, a staple in most people’s living rooms is no longer with us. One who could make even the funniest comedians speechless with his animated comic relief, suffered with a dark demon that impacts nearly 1 in 10 adults in the United States, depression. Robin William’s death has brought some much needed light on an epidemic that has become a silent killer to many.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, at least 5.6 million to 8 million Americans age 60 and older have a mental health condition, “Wellness is essential to living a full and productive life,” said Jamie Seneca, Community Outreach Coordinator, Nurse On Call. “We may have different ideas about what wellness means, but it involves a set of skills and strategies to prevent the onset or shorten the duration of illness and promote recovery and well-being. It’s about keeping healthy as well as getting healthy,” Seneca said. “Wellness is more than absence of disease; it involves general, mental and social well-being. The fact is our overall well-being is tied to the balance that exists between our emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health. “
Everyone is at risk of stress, given the demands it brings and the challenges at work and at home, but often a population that is overlooked for Mental Health is the Senior Population. Often people think that certain depressive behavior is a normal part of aging and a natural reaction to chronic illness, loss and social transition, when in fact appropriate intervention and treatment can greatly increase their overall health and quality of life.
Nurse On Call Home health Care, a Medicare Home Health Agency is committed to their Psych services, understanding that this is an integral part of an aging person’s scope of care. Services that are provided to a patient to maintain well-being and help achieve physical and mental wellness are; educating the patient on the importance of a balanced diet, a comprehensive medication management service combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, and the development of coping skills that promote resiliency and emotional awareness, through psych nursing and social workers and occupational therapist. Home Health can play an essential role in the care of older patients who have significant life crises, lack social support or lack coping skills to deal with their life situations. As a result of larger numbers of elderly people living alone, having inadequate support systems or being homebound for any reason including social anxiety, special efforts are needed to locate and identity these people to provide them with needed care.
“Just as we check our blood pressure and get cancer screenings, it’s a good idea to take periodic stock of our emotional well-being. Fully embracing the concept of wellness not only improves health in the mind, body and spirit, but also maximizes one’s potential to lead a full and productive life,” Seneca said.
Robin William’s a man who brought so much joy to others, is now tragically gone, maybe for reasons that most won’t understand, nonetheless, no matter what demands he fought, he will continue to live in American’s hearts as our “what if”, what if he received appropriate help? What if he didn’t have to suffer silently? What if…..?
Nurse On Call
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