Yvonne Poulin, RMT
The untimely deaths of a few Tumbler Ridge residents in 2019 shocked our scenic little town. As a result, many locals are seeking information regarding mental health and suicide prevention. Survival in the North requires that we watch each other’s backs literally during our bear season or figuratively by watching out for the health and welfare of our neighbors. Let’s look towards our local elderly population.
The Forever Young Society at Willow Hall has a thriving senior’s community that offers activities and support. Sadly, there remain seniors who do not utilize any community services and are isolated from society. This makes them susceptible to physical and mental health conditions that become obstacles to healthy aging.
Mental health in seniors is often perceived only as dementia or loss of cognitive decline but this group is susceptible to the same mental health conditions as younger people. Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse are often overlooked and under-diagnosed. A popular misconception is that suicide is most prevalent in the young. In fact, Canadian males in their 40s, 50s and 80s have the highest rates of suicide.
Seniors with a history of trauma, depression, substance abuse, isolation, chronic pain or illness have a higher risk of committing suicide or developing dementia. However, risk factors do not mean there’s a certainty of going down either of those roads. The lifestyle a person chooses has a dramatic effect on their health. Maintaining one’s physical health is a key driving factor in preventing mental decline.
January was Alzheimer’s month and in case you’re one of the many people who are concerned about losing your mind here are some things to consider: It’s normal to forget a word, a name, or an event; but it’s abnormal to repeat words or stories in a short period of time or to forget the name of a partner or close family member. It’s normal to misplace keys or cell phones then find them later but it’s abnormal to mistakenly place those items in a freezer or toolbox. It’s when memory or other mental skills become an obstacle in your daily life that it’s time to consult a physician. There are many conditions that can mimic dementia, so seniors are wise to have their medications reviewed and their blood pressure and blood sugar levels tested on a regular basis.
Although Tumbler Ridge does not have any assisted care facilities where elder abuse is the most prevalent, psychological abuse and neglect also occur in our community setting. Verbal abuse by taunts, threats, put-downs, withdrawal of love and affection, or emotional support by the abuser are extremely harmful to a senior. As stated earlier, surviving in the North includes watching out for our neighbor’s health and well-being. If you are a senior who is being abused mentally, physically, financially, or in any other way OR if you are a witness to any form of seniors abuse please call the Seniors Abuse and Information Line listed below.
Asking for help or consulting a professional may seem like hard pills to swallow if you are an elderly person, but the alternative of losing your independence or mental health is at stake. If you like to research information online check out Alzheimers.ca or Seniors First BC. If you wish to speak to someone yet maintain your anonymity please call:
Victim Link 1-800-563-0808 24 hours/day includes translation services
Dementia Help Line 1-800-936-6033 weekdays 9 am – 4 pm
Seniors Abuse and Information Line 1-866-437-1940 leave a message for call-back
