Mental Health

Healthy Body and Healthy Mind Follow these simple tips to improve your brain health. Exercise can actually reverse the signs of aging. For an added boost, walk in the park. Drink only a little alcohol, if you drink any. It’s good for your brain to not drink too much. Tip: If you like a glass of white wine with dinner, add some sparkling water to it. You’ll drink less alcohol. Eating fruits such as blueberries may help sharpen your mind. Stock up on blueberries and other berries when they’re on sale (you can always freeze them). Sprinkle them over your cereal or yogurt or make them into a smoothie. Keep your mind sharp by doing puzzles. Start small–carry a booklet of crossword or sudoku type puzzles when you’re riding the bus or have free time. Meditation and deep breathing can help get rid of stress. Doing it regularly can help lower your stress and sometimes even your blood pressure.

Depression
Out of the Blues: How to understand and get help for your depression

• Depression is one of the most common illnesses among seniors.
• Up to 15 percent of people age 65 and over have depression.
• Depression does not go away in a few days; in fact, it can last for years.
• Your depression is not caused by aging and it can be treated.

If your doctor gives you medicine for depression, you may not start to feel better for several weeks. It is important to keep taking the medicine prescribed and return to your doctor for regular checkups every month.

• Learn more about “Older Adults and Depression” (English  Español)

• Lifenet is a free, confidential, multi-lingual mental health and substance abuse information, referral, and crisis hotline available to anyone at any time.  Your call will be answered by a trained behavioral health professional.

  • For assistance in English, call 1-800-543-3638.

  • For assistance in Español, call 1-877-298-3373.

  • For assistance in Mandarin/Cantonese, call 1-877-990-8585.

  • For TTY users, call 1-212-982-5284.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or severe emotional distress. Your call is routed to the nearest crisis center to you. If you are feeling desperate, alone or hopeless, it’s important to call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

• NIH Senior Health Depression

Alzheimer’s/Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease. It slowly eats away memory and thinking skills. After some time, people with the disease can’t even do the simplest tasks. Memory problems are one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s. People may have a hard time remembering things that happened just a little while ago, or the names of people they know. Over time, symptoms often get worse. Problems can include getting lost and taking a long time to finish daily chores. As the disease goes on, people may have trouble learning new things. They may not know family and friends, and have a hard time talking.

Taking measures to stay positive and active in fighting the disease can make living with Alzheimer’s — or any chronic disease — more manageable.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a related dementia, the Alzheimer's Association can provide education, referral and support.  Call their 24/7 Hotline at 1-800-272-3900 or check their website.

Below are additional resources on Alzheimer’s/Dementia:

• “Alzheimer’s Disease” (English  Español)
• For tips on being a caregiver to persons with Alzheimer’s, read the “Caregiver Guide” (English  Español)
• “Coping with Emotions and Stress in Alzheimer's Caregiving: A Resource List”
• NIH Senior Health/Alzheimer’s Disease