SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Nearly 10% of older adults nationwide experience mental distress, but the numbers in Louisiana are even worse, according to a new study conducted by the Aging Resource Center. Older adults in Louisiana report more days per month of poor mental health (3.9 days) than older adults in other states.
According to CDC and Census data, more than 20% of older adults in Louisiana have been diagnosed with depression.
Living alone is one of the reasons that 42.4% of Louisiana’s seniors (age 64 and older) experience mental distress.
Research is now proving that long-term social isolation not only causes feelings of loneliness, but also seriously leads to physical and mental health problems in older adults caused by feelings of loneliness. Social isolation leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, other cognitive declines, depression, and death.
More than 3.5 million people in Louisiana live in medical deserts, contributing to the alarming statistics.
There are 167 areas in Louisiana that have a shortage of mental health professionals.
Almost 80% of Louisianans do not live near mental health services.
Older adults who are depressed and isolated are at increased risk of dementia, heart disease, anxiety, and suicide. If a heart failure patient is alone, he is four times more likely to die.
LGBT older adults also tend to have fewer social connections, which puts them at higher risk for mental health problems. The same is true for Latinos who immigrate to the United States and face language barriers.
Older adults in Louisiana who are experiencing mental health issues and cannot find a mental health professional nearby should regularly reach out to friends and family. Thirty minutes of light exercise daily and continuing education are recommended.
Taking classes, reading books, learning a new language, and solving puzzles are all great ways to combat loneliness.
It is also important to consult a psychiatrist or therapist who specializes in working with older adults.
And there’s no shame in seeking mental health help. More than 60% of older adults in the United States already receive psychological and social support services.
