Help address hidden mental health crisis
From bocce and beers to birdhouses and board meetings, there are ways to help tackle men’s mental health in aged care, writes Kerry Mann.
As Mental Health Month comes to a close this week, it’s important we carry its lessons into the rest of the year.
This is particularly true for the aged care industry, which plays a vital part in managing mental health among the elderly.
The theme, Let’s talk about it, challenges a generation of older Australian men who were raised not to. But shifting those ingrained beliefs is crucial, and aged care providers have a key role to play.
Many elderly men were raised with the belief that vulnerability equates to weakness, and emotions should be kept in check. It’s no surprise that older men often hide or deny their mental health struggles. This is why it’s essential to find new ways to open communication and create environments where elderly men feel safe and comfortable.
Whether the challenges stem from clinical conditions like anxiety and depression, or from grief, loneliness, loss of independence, or physical decline, the mental health of elderly men should not be overlooked. Their struggles are real, and they deserve attention and care.
The statistics are sobering. By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged over 60, and 27 per cent of suicides occur within the 60-plus age bracket. The suicide rate among elderly men can be up to four times higher than women, and suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst the elderly after chronic disease. In addition, around 25 per cent of older people are impacted by loneliness and social isolation, with illness, personal loss and physical decline also contributing to poor mental health.
In aged care settings, we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of male residents. We know that simply asking men to open up about their feelings isn’t enough. Instead, building strong, genuine relationships between staff and residents is key, along with nurturing connections among the residents themselves. Often, their peers can be an invaluable source of emotional and social support.
Creating a community atmosphere, maintaining familiar routines, and offering tailored social and wellbeing activities are vital tools for improving the mental health of our residents.
At Cranbrook Care, we continually seek new ways to engage our male residents. From gin & tonic hours to garden walks, beer and bocce with male staff, men’s trivia groups, board meetings, and creative activities like birdhouse painting and guitar making, we aim to provide spaces where men can feel at ease, supported, and valued.
The mental health challenges faced by elderly men are complex, shaped by their life experiences and the realities of ageing. However, the aged care industry is in a unique position to break the stigma around mental health in this demographic and ensure our residents feel comfortable seeking help.
While initiatives like Movember and R U OK? Day are important, they may not resonate as strongly with older men. It is up to us to create environments where they feel heard, supported, and empowered to discuss their struggles. By developing personalised wellbeing plans, we can help make their later years as rewarding and dignified as possible.
And as we continue to focus on our residents’ wellbeing, it’s also essential to remember the importance of supporting the mental health of aged care staff. After all, a healthy and resilient team is key to providing the best care for our residents.
As Mental Health Month draws to a close, it’s important we not only acknowledge but act upon mental health challenges among elderly men. By having open conversations, encouraging social interaction and providing emotional support to those impacted, the aged care industry can play a crucial role in creating a brighter future.
Kerry Mann is executive director Cranbrook Care
Mental Health Month, celebrated every October, aims to improve community awareness and interest in mental health
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