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How to Care for the Emotional Needs of the

Elderly by FRANCES EVESHAM Last Updated: May 31, 2015

An elderly person needs to feel safe, remain close to other people and believe that his

life continues to be meaningful. Meeting his emotional needs can help him avoid

depression. Signs that he lacks sufficient support may include difficulty in sleeping, a

poor appetite or an inability to concentrate, points out the American Association of

Retired Persons. Emotional care for a senior should include steps designed to deal with

vulnerability, loneliness, boredom and isolation. Security

A senior citizen may feel fearful and nervous, especially if she lives alone or has

mobility problems. Support a positive outlook with practical measures to guard against

intruders. Arrange for the installation of additional locks or chains and a spy-hole in the

door, so she can see who is calling before she opens the door. An emergency call

button could reduce her fear of failing to get help should she fall or become unwell.

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Connection

Help senior citizens to maintain contact with their friends and family. Encourage visits

from younger family members and use the telephone to maintain regular

communication. An elderly person may find Internet access helpful when family or

friends are unable to offer frequent visits, but he could need help in learning to use the

technology. Use photos, books and music to help him remember happy life events and

involve him in important family occasions such as marriages or new babies to help him

know that he continues to be an important member of the family. • Sponsored Links

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Community

Maintaining links with her community can support an elderly person's feeling of

connection with the world beyond her family. Check to make sure she does not spend

all of every day alone. You may be able to arrange transport to local events, church

services or shopping trips. Contact organizations in the area that may be able to offer

visits or send newsletters that support her interests. Make sure she is able to manage

the controls of her television or radio and that she knows how to access local channels

so that she can continue to enjoy involvement with her neighborhood. Leisure

Take time to listen carefully to an elderly person. Help him continue to take

responsibility for himself by discussing his needs and tailoring any interventions you

make to his preferences, whether he loves ball games or prefers reading. Help him

overcome any obstacles to his leisure activities that aging might cause. For example, try

large print books or different spectacles to overcome visual problems that prevent him

from enjoying his favorite authors. Maintain his dignity, whether he lives at home or in a

care facility. Ensure he has access to his own clean clothes and that any false teeth or

other prosthetics fit securely so he can feel comfortable. Planning

Look ahead to anticipate the future needs of a senior. Her circumstances will change

over time and new difficulties can arise with her physical, emotional or sensory abilities.

These can damage her emotional well-being. A sudden loss of the capacity to wash or

dress independently needs urgent action to provide her with personal care. Watch for

any deterioration in her mood and be prepared to involve health care providers. Make

sure she takes any medication exactly as prescribed. Sorting her tablets into the correct

daily dose can help overcome a senior’s fear of making mistakes.