December 21, 2021

Three Ways You Can Help Resident’s Mental Health During the Holidays

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December 21, 2021
5 min read
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Psychotherapy in Nursing Homes

As we come to the end of the year, I wanted to reach out personally and say thank you to for what you have done to save lives and hold your team together.  

While hope is on the horizon, stress and depression for the residents is at an all-time high. Here are three strategies you can use to help your resident’s mental health during the holidays:

  1. HELP RESIDENTS GET OUTSIDE
    Even if it is only for five minutes and alone, helping residents get outside and sit in the sunshine can be a mood booster.
  2. VIDEO CHATS
    Assist with scheduling a video chat visit with family. Many residents have never felt more alone, and a video chat with family members will help them feel connected.
  3. MENTAL HEALTH CHECKUP
    Residents may benefit from a mental health checkup. We get annual physicals, and we should do the same for our minds. Refer residents to your facility psychologist who can assess for mental health issues that may have recently developed.  

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday. We are all in this together!

Dr. Joshua Williams
Pacific Coast Psychology Group, Inc.

Combating Isolation & Loneliness

Psychotherapy in nursing homes often focuses on feelings of being disconnected from family or the world beyond the walls of a skilled nursing facility. Well-trained psychologists are adept at creating a safe space in which people can process these emotions and develop coping mechanisms to foster a sense of connection and belonging.

Adjusting to a New Environment

Moving to a nursing home is a significant life change. Mental and emotional muscles will likely be taxed in ways they haven’t been before. Psychotherapy can be a useful forum to take stock of one’s inner life. From there, therapists can help residents adapt to their new environment, explore new relationships, and work toward a positive understanding of their new life situation.

Maintaining Cognitive Function

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy modality that often finds success. CBT is about examining thought patterns, identifying unhelpful ones, and working to re-route our responses to the world. CBT can stimulate mental engagement, potentially slowing cognitive decline and helping residents maintain a sense of autonomy.

Managing Stress Due to Illness

Many residents of SKF/nursing homes live with chronic illness of one kind or another. Such chronic conditions can leave people feeling overwhelmed by irritation and pain, uncertainty and dependency. Psychotherapy provides tools to re-frame one’s reaction to the realities of long-term illness, resulting in less stress and an overall improvement in quality of life.

Fostering Relationships & Communication

Family dynamics can shift dramatically when a loved one enters a nursing home. Psychotherapy can facilitate better communication, helping residents and their families navigate these changes with empathy and understanding.

Our psychologists aim to be neutral sounding boards for the concerns and feelings of both nursing home residents and family members. By encouraging everyone to share their perspective, psychologists make all parties feel heard and then begin the process of bringing challenges and opportunities to light to help foster more positive relationship and communication dynamics.

Pacific Coast Psychology Provides Psychotherapy in Nursing Homes

Psychotherapy can be a game-changer for residents in nursing homes. Life in a nursing home comes with a mix of adjustments—some welcome, others less so. Psychotherapy provides a space to navigate these changes with compassion and care.

At Pacific Coast Psychology, we have partnered with dozens of skilled nursing facilities across California, offering effective mental health solutions that address the complex needs of both residents and staff. 

Interested in learning more? Reach out for a consultation today, and let us help your facility thrive.