How Retirement Affects Older Adults Mental Health
Photo by Albin Christiansson on Unsplash
Mental health is something I take very seriously, but I understand that it might come from my generation. We have heavily been exposed to different outlets in digital media about how to handle our mental health issues and when to define them. This type of education is the new frontier, but many elders may not be as open to the idea. Many Baby Boomers (aged 60+) still believe that mental health issues don't exist, even though many of them are just undiagnosed. If I am being blunt, both sides of my grandparents, and even my older uncles and aunts, were not happy to hear when I was in therapy. I am not sure if it was because they didn’t believe in it, but I believe a lot of it stems from their guilt that they were the source of the issue. Most older people do not want to hear they need help, but when they are forced to get to know themselves during retirement, it can showcase underlying issues that were there all along.
According to the World Health Organization, 14% of adults live with a mental disorder. Most of them weren’t aware that they had one until they entered retirement isolation. Though this is something not always discussed, it is often observed in the day-to-day life of retirees. The shift from work stress to post- work stress may seem simple, but it can negatively impact the mental health of those entering retirement.
Mental health concerns don’t only become relevant just because older adults are newly retired, but it comes with continuous loss around them. This meaning of "loss" doesn’t only apply to their peers, but it also means their loss of their abilities, whether it be mobility, mental capacity, or simply loss of the routine and life they were used to living. In many cases, retirement is looked at as a final vacation destination after a long career, but due to the lack of structure and chaos life endures, it can create depression, anxiety, and stress (L. Rombinson, HealthGuide.org) If those conditions are left untreated, the consequences can worsen, which is why 22% of the suicide rate comes from those 65 and older.
Supporting the mental health of retirees involves creating environments that promote healthy and fulfilling aging. This includes reducing financial insecurity, ensuring safe housing and transportation, and fostering strong social support networks through friends and caregivers. Social connections are crucial in preventing isolation and loneliness. Activities such as community groups, volunteering, and arts programs can help reduce depression and improve overall well-being. In my own personal experience, my grandfather was stuck in a rut for many years after retiring. His community that he built on the job seemed to be gone from his daily life, until he decided to bring them together to catch up once a month. It allows him to see his friends, have social connections, and gives him something to look forward to. He is a pretty grumpy man, but I have never seen him happier than on a day that he will see his friends.
It is interesting to think about a time when mental health support wasn’t normalized or a necessity, but for the older generation it can be easy to not take it seriously. However, issues such as depression and anxiety did not come out of thin air and have a long line of ancestry, so it is just as important to check on those around us as much as possible. Supporting mental health awareness for retirees is extremely important, because although retirement may seem like a light at the end of the workforce tunnel, the loss of routine and daily social interaction can alter one’s sense of self.
Retirement doesn’t need to be a negative lifestyle shift, especially if it is tackled head on with the support of others. Though retirees may not jump at the opportunity for therapy, there are many different events in the community, social interactions with friends or family, clubs, and so much more to help bring light and comfort in this transition. Like I said, my grandpa gets to meet his friends once a week and gets constant check-ins by his granddaughter (me) everyday, but even my grandma’s community at the library book club helps keep her spirits high. Being aware of this and supporting our elders is what we owe them. We also owe it to ourselves, because by 2030, 1 out of 6 people will be over 60. With careful planning and mindfulness, we have a chance to create a healthy, happy retirement.
