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Mental Health Apps For Seniors And Older Adults: Maintaining Mental Health Digitally

Mental Health Apps For Seniors And Older Adults: Maintaining Mental Health Digitally

Staying mentally fit and healthy becomes more difficult as we grow old. Fortunately, now there are mental health apps that greatly help in managing one's mental condition. Keep on reading for a comprehensive list of mental health apps for seniors and older adults that you might want to check out today.
Scott Grant, CSA®, SHSS®
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Mental Health Apps For Seniors
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Mental Health Apps For Seniors

Growing old comes with its fair share of challenges, and at times you may find it hard to stay mentally fit and healthy.

If feelings like worry, loneliness, or sadness are preventing you from getting the most out of your life, support and help are available through mental health apps for seniors and older adults.

Managing mental health is not always an easy task. Tough situations and circumstances certainly don’t make it any easier. Coping mechanisms such as going to the gym, having lunch with a friend, or catching a movie with a sibling or family member are not always available for everyone.

Also, some coping methods may not be ideal for seniors or older adults residing in assisted living communities and nursing homes.

Luckily, numerous advancements in technology have led to the development of mental health apps for seniors that help you improve your mental and emotional health every single day.

However, these helpful health apps for seniors and elderly people should not be used as a replacement for talking to a certified and licensed mental health expert. Always seek a trained medical professional when facing any kind of mental health problem or crisis!

Are Mental Health Apps Effective?

Mental health apps present a unique opportunity for healthcare providers to improve the quality and availability of mental health treatment.

The number of mental health apps has significantly increased in the last few years, with most apps focusing on mental health support, treatment, and/or diagnosis.

Additionally, public health institutions like the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) have described mental health apps are scalable and cost-effective solutions for addressing the mental health treatment gap.

However, the efficacy of mental health apps is still being studied in many countries around the world.

Mental health apps are also being used to supplement psychiatric treatments and help patients manage their conditions.

For seniors, mental health apps can play a key role in boosting overall health and well-being. Seniors can easily download these apps on their phones and get daily assistance with mental health questions and concerns.

mental health apps for seniors free
Here, you can take a look at some of our favorite free mental health apps for seniors.

Are There Any Free Mental Health Apps?

Within the ever-growing list of apps that you can install on your smartphone or tablet is a wide variety of mental health apps that can assist you in your quest to achieve improved mental health and emotional well-being.

Each of these apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Some of our favorite free mental health apps for seniors include:

1. 7 Cups

7 Cups gives you access to volunteer counselors who you can reach out to anytime you need to talk or share your thoughts and feelings. This free mental health app enables you to connect with individuals – although they are not mental health experts – from all over the globe.

This app can come in really handy for seniors who often feel lonely or neglected. You can also sign up as a volunteer counselor to help other people as well.

2. Good News Network

One of the best things you can do for your mental health and well-being is to expose yourself to positive and healthy information. Staying up to date with current news can take a toll on your mental health because there is so much negative and sad news in the world today.

Luckily, you can choose to focus on the more positive aspects of the world by subscribing to healthy news channels like the Good News Network. The Good News Network app delivers positive and encouraging news straight to your phone every day.

3. Daylio

Daylio is a free mental health app that is basically a mood diary that you can download and install on your phone. Tracking and analyzing your mood can be a crucial initial step to learning what you can do to change them for the better.

Daylio lets you track your overall mood throughout the day, as well as what activities you do to boost your mood and their results.

4. SuperBetter

SuperBetter is a mental health app that resembles a typical game you would find on a smartphone these days. This game-like mental wellness app was developed by a programmer who was struggling with her own mental health issues.

The app is based on the science of behavioral activation, where it presents the user with various positive coping mechanisms to help them build mental resilience and feel better about themselves.

5. Done

Done is a simple habit tracker app that lets you track your regular habits and favorite hobbies. We all know how starting a new hobby can be beneficial for your mental health. This mental health app helps you track new habits and set specific goals based on your needs and preferences.

On top of this, the app will monitor your progress and look for quotes to motivate you along the way.

Are Mental Health Apps Adequately Equipped To Handle Users In Crisis?

Mental health apps target a wide range of mental health conditions and vary in functionality and design.

Mental health apps are usually categorized based on their features, such as passive data collection, symptom tracking, social support, skills training, cognition improvement, and self-management.

Mental health apps cover all stages of mental health treatment, including diagnosis, crisis prevention and intervention, primary treatment, and continuous condition management.

Mental health apps are a good option for mental health treatment compared to other modes of support due to high hedonic motivation, low effort expectancy, and ease of habit.

Mobile apps have huge potential to deliver crucial mental health support and interventions to seniors and elderly persons.

Due to the global shortage of certified therapists and the lack of mental health care access in remote areas, apps have emerged as a viable solution to fill the mental health treatment and support gap.

Technology has the potential to transform how mental health treatment is accessed and delivered.

mental health apps for seniors important
Mental health issues can have serious consequences for the elderly and their loved ones if left undiagnosed and untreated.

Why Is Mental Health Important For The Elderly?

It’s estimated that 1 in every 5 older adults suffer from mental health issues that are not related to aging – the most common of which are mood and anxiety disorders, such as chronic depression.

In most cases, these mental health issues can be diagnosed and treated successfully. Unfortunately, too many older adults fail to seek or get the help they need.

When left undiagnosed and untreated, mental health issues can have severe consequences for older adults and their loved ones. This is why it’s important that seniors and older adults get proper mental health support and assistance when they need it.

Mental Health Is As Important As Physical Health

Mental health includes our social, psychological, and emotional well-being. It affects how we act, feel, and think as we go about our lives. Our mental health influences how we make choices related to others and handle stress.

Mental health is important at every stage of life, including as we grow old.

Many seniors are at risk of mental health problems. However, this does not mean that they are a normal part of aging. Research shows that many elderly people are happy with their lives, even though they suffer from multiple physical problems and illnesses.

Sometimes, however, major changes in our lives can make us feel sad, stressed, and uneasy. These changes can include dealing with a severe illness, retirement, or losing a loved one. Many seniors ultimately get used to these changes.

But some people may have trouble adjusting. This can put them at risk of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression.

Good mental health plays a major role in feeling healthy and strong. Older adults who suffer from chronic mental health issues are at risk of diminished function, poor quality of life, substance abuse, and higher mortality. Poor mental health can also slow healing from physical ailments. 

Summary And Final Recommendations

Mental health apps can come in handy in helping you manage your stress and feelings of loneliness. These apps are fun and easy to use.

All you need is your phone and access to the internet to use these mental health apps for seniors to improve their mental health and overall well-being. 

However, while these apps have been of great help to many people out there today, they still have a long way to go before they can be relied on as an effective individual treatment for mental health conditions.

Health apps in general are designed to offer daily support so that your life is made easier and more manageable. They include various features that can help you keep your mind sharp and your mood positive.

If you think that you may have a mental health problem, it is important to get help. Talking to a certified mental health professional is the best way to go!

Sources:

  1. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/older-people-and-mental-health
  2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-a-mobile-app-as-good-as-a-therapist-202202072683
  3. https://ioraprimarycare.com/blog/free-mental-health-apps/
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Scott Grant, CSA®, SHSS®

Scott Grant, CSA®, SHSS®

With over 20 years of experience and certifications as a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and Senior Home Safety Specialist (SHSS)®, Scott Grant provides reliable recommendations to help seniors maintain independence through informed product and service choices for safe, comfortable living.

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