Assisted Living for People With Mental Health Disorders

Covered in this guide:

• The Most Common Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults
• Common Risk Factors for Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults
• Mental Health Conditions in Seniors: What Are the Warning Signs?
• Living With a Mental Health Condition: Housing Options for Seniors
• What to Look for in an Assisted Living Community for Seniors With Mental Health Disorders
• How Does Senior Living Benefit Older Adults With Mental Health Conditions?
• When Should Someone With a Mental Health Condition Consider Senior Living?
• State Resources for Mental Health Assistance

Updated: June 12, 2023 | Reviewed by: Dr. Brindusa Vanta, MD

Every adult goes through a series of transitions as they age. Some of these transitions are happy ones, such as the shift from working full-time to relaxing and enjoying retirement. Others, like losing a spouse or getting a serious medical diagnosis, cause sadness and anxiety. For some seniors, these transitions are even more complex due to the presence of a mental health condition.

The World Health Organization estimates that 15% of adults aged 60 and over have some type of mental health or neurological disorder. These conditions may interfere with an older adult's ability to manage their health, perform basic personal care tasks, keep track of their finances or maintain rewarding relationships with friends, family members and neighbors.

In older adults, having a mental health disorder may even be challenging. Some conditions increase the risk for self-harm, while others make it difficult for seniors to preserve their safety. For example, an older adult with a mental health condition may forget to turn off the stove or let strangers into the house without checking their identification or verifying that they're supposed to be there.

If a mental health disorder makes it difficult to live alone, one option is to move to an assisted living community for 24/7 supervision and supportive services. In this guide, you'll learn why assisted living and other types of senior care are so beneficial for seniors with mental health conditions. The guide also includes information on the most common health conditions in seniors and a list of resources to help you find mental health support for your loved one.

The Most Common Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults

Anxiety Disorders

People with anxiety disorders struggle with excessive worry and the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Approximately 4% of seniors have an anxiety disorder such as social anxiety, panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Seniors generally have a heightened risk of anxiety disorders because they're more likely to have mobility issues and chronic health issues. Stressful life circumstances may also contribute to anxiety in older adults.

To help an older adult with anxiety, practice good listening skills. Instead of brushing off their concerns, listen closely and let them know you're willing to support them.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder affects a person's mood, behavior and energy level. People with this disorder typically experience episodes of mania or hypomania followed by episodes of depression. This condition isn't quite as common as anxiety or depression and affects no more than 1% of the older adult population. Life stressors are one of the major risk factors for bipolar disorder. Common stressors include a loss of independence, sudden disability, financial difficulties and family conflict.

If your loved one has bipolar disorder, be patient. The symptoms of this mental health condition can be frustrating for family members, but try not to raise your voice or criticize the other person.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that affects the way people think and feel. If your loved one has this mental health condition, they may feel intense feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Depression affects anywhere from 1% to 13.5% of older adults, depending on the setting.

Many seniors with chronic health conditions develop depression, especially if their health issues affect their ability to live independently. Health conditions may cause reduced mobility, weakness and other symptoms that make it difficult to move around the home or perform basic personal care tasks. Some people also have difficulty getting out of the house, leaving them more isolated and prone to sadness.

If an older adult in your life is showing signs of depression, let them know how much you care. Offer to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician or search for a mental health counselor in your area.

Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders tend to have distorted thoughts regarding their eating habits, body shape and weight. Some severely restrict their food intake, while others engage in a cycle of binging large amounts of food and then purging it from their bodies.

Most research on eating disorders focuses on teens and young adults. Therefore, it's difficult to estimate the prevalence of anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders in older people. One study showed that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men may develop an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Seniors with depression and anxiety are more likely to develop eating disorders, as are older adults who've gone through some type of trauma, whether physical or emotional.

If you notice a change in your loved one's eating habits, offer to schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian to discuss healthy meal and snack options. Speak in a nonjudgmental tone, and let them know you're committed to their well-being.

Prescription Drug Misuse 

Prescription medications have many legitimate uses, but some people misuse them by taking more than prescribed or continuing to use a prescription medication long after it's needed. Some older adults even develop substance use disorders, prompting them to "borrow" medications from family members or buy counterfeit medications off the street.

In the United States, the prevalence of prescription drug misuse among seniors may be as high as 26%. One of the major risk factors for this condition is the use of multiple prescriptions. When an older adult takes several medications every day, it's easy to take more than prescribed or take too much of one medication and not enough of another. Many seniors also experience chronic pain, leading them to overuse prescription pain medications to get some relief. Additional risk factors include financial difficulties, loss of independence and sudden disability.

If you think an older loved one is misusing one of their prescriptions, make sure they understand the risks of medication abuse. Offer to schedule a doctor's appointment so they can get factual information from an unbiased source. If they're interested in getting help, offer to drive them to treatment sessions or help them manage their medications more carefully.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder often affects people who've experienced or witnessed some type of traumatic event. Sexual assault, military service, invasive medical procedures and natural disasters are just a few examples of events that can trigger PTSD. Approximately 1.5% to 4% of adults over the age of 60 have this mental health condition.

PTSD has the following risk factors:

• Childhood trauma
• Living through events that cause extreme fear
• Lack of social support after a traumatic event
• History of serious injuries

If your loved one is exhibiting signs of PTSD, offer to help them find a mental health professional in your area. Counseling and other forms of treatment can help them address their symptoms and stop reliving the same trauma over and over again. If your loved one served in the military, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to find out what PTSD resources are available to veterans.

Common Risk Factors for Mental Health Conditions in Older Adults

In most people, a mental health condition doesn't have just one cause. Several factors come together to increase the risk of developing a mental health disorder. Here are some of the most common risk factors for senior citizens:

• Lack of financial resources
• Chronic health conditions
• Limited family or social support
• History of personal trauma
• Disabilities that lead to isolation or reduced mobility

Mental Health Conditions in Seniors: What Are the Warning Signs?

As a family member, you're well-positioned to recognize the early warning signs of mental health conditions in an older adult. If you notice any of the following, talk with your loved one about your concerns and urge them to seek professional assistance.

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Increased irritability or outright hostility
• Lack of interest in spending time with friends and family members
• Sudden withdrawal from social activities
• Unintended weight gain or weight loss
• Aches and pains that can't be attributed to a physical problem
• Substance misuse 
• Increased anxiety
• Thoughts of suicide

Living With a Mental Health Condition: Housing Options for Seniors

Seniors with mental health disorders have a variety of housing options. Not all of them are appropriate for every adult, but they provide an alternative to trying to manage physical and mental health conditions without any assistance.

Assisted Living for People With Mental Health Conditions

Assisted living communities provide homelike settings where residents can socialize in common areas and participate in a variety of on-site programming. These communities typically offer everything a resident needs to live comfortably, from daily meals and snacks to assistance with medication administration. Residents also benefit from around-the-clock supervision and extra security features.

For seniors with mental health conditions, assisted living is helpful because there is always someone around to call for help in an emergency. Assisted living communities may also provide transportation to medical appointments, making it easier to seek treatment for a mental health disorder.

Nursing Homes for People With Mental Health Conditions

If your loved one requires 24/7 medical care, a nursing home may be able to accommodate their needs. While assisted living communities focus on personal care, nursing homes focus on medical care. Each nursing home has licensed medical professionals available to prescribe medications, administer therapeutic services and provide constant monitoring.

Nursing homes have staff members who are trained to recognize the signs of mental health conditions, making it easier for seniors to get the help they need to address their symptoms. A nursing home also has physicians on staff, ensuring residents have access to medications that can help them manage their mental health conditions.

In-Home Care for People With Mental Health Conditions

Many seniors want to remain at home and preserve as much of their independence as possible. In-home care makes this possible. Home health agencies have licensed health professionals available to administer medications, perform wound checks and provide other medical services. Seniors also have access to in-home personal care, which focuses on activities of daily living. A personal care aide may also help with light housekeeping and other chores.

Receiving in-home care can help an older adult with a mental health condition avoid the stress of moving to an assisted living community or a nursing home. This may prevent the symptoms of their disorder from getting worse. In-home care also ensures that a senior has regular contact with other people, which may prevent loneliness.

What to Look for in an Assisted Living Community for Seniors With Mental Health Disorders

How Does Senior Living Benefit Older Adults With Mental Health Conditions?

Senior living is a viable option for older adults who have mental health conditions and are unable to stay in their own homes. Your loved one may experience the following if they move to a nursing home or assisted living community.

• Increased sense of safety
• Renewed sense of purpose
• Stronger social connections
• Improved well-being
• Better control of mental health symptoms

When Should Someone With a Mental Health Condition Consider Senior Living?

Your loved one should consider senior living if they're unable to maintain a home or live alone without putting their safety at risk. They should also meet these requirements:

• Their mental health disorder doesn't endanger others in any way.
• They're willing to work with staff members to maintain their mental health.
• They aren't experiencing an acute behavioral health crisis.
• They're capable of listening to staff instructions regarding their treatment.

Although senior living is beneficial for many people, it's not for everyone. Assisted living communities may not have trained staff members available to deal with worsening mental health symptoms. Nursing homes may also have staffing issues that prevent nurses and allied health professionals from giving your loved one as much attention as needed.

State Resources for Mental Health Assistance

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Brindusa Vanta, MD

Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a healthcare professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM - Toronto, Canada.