Play for Seniors
- May 19, 2020
- 0 Comments
In virtually all of the age groups, there is an increase in depression. However, depression and suicide are far more common among older age groups. However, there is no evident single causal process. It might look weird to have a play blog that is focused on potential suicide and depression. However, the authentic play could have a very powerful mood-altering effect, helping people to "immunize."
The increasing prevalence of suicide and data about it is indeed substantial. There has been an increase of over 35% in this regard, especially in the Western world. They say that people over 65 years of age happen to be the most vulnerable in this case. This is usually because individuals who are over 65 years of age are far lonelier as compared to the rest. There is a lack of community, which results in depression. In the worst case, this could lead to suicide.
Playing is a natural part of human nature. Among all of us, there is a dormant or an active play nature that is always waiting to be activated fully. Fundamentally speaking, we are SOCIAL species. For us, playing is a means of fueling up the forces of life, even when we are facing challenging circumstances. There is no doubt that we are hard-wired to enjoy playing, and will always need it regardless of the situation. After all, it shows up naturally in us when we are young. However, we tone it down as we grow up. This certainly does not mean that the craving to playfully vanishes away.
So missing out on playing opportunities regardless of age is one of the significant risk factors for mental health problems. When there is a lack of participation in a community, emotions of loss and sadness take over. As a result of this, humans end up dealing with mental health issues such as depression which can even take worse forms later on.
The lack of communities combined with geographical distances from family members even makes things worse. Now, this aspect of emotional verve and support that was present in our biological heritage from millions of years has gone missing.
Simply put, visiting an older family member during the holidays does not mean that it is sufficient for their emotional well-being. Hence, that alone will not get rid of loneliness and depression. Now, many types of research are focusing on something called the 'play science.' This is because significant transformations through play can occur even in patients who are suffering from dementia.
Indeed, lonely and depressed seniors tend to fully embrace the play patterns just like they used to embrace it a long time ago. Hence, we need to bring elements of playing back in our lives to combat sadness and loneliness. This especially applies to older people, including parents, older siblings, and older couples such as grandparents. Indeed, this is the only way towards healthy mental and physical aging.
The increasing prevalence of suicide and data about it is indeed substantial. There has been an increase of over 35% in this regard, especially in the Western world. They say that people over 65 years of age happen to be the most vulnerable in this case. This is usually because individuals who are over 65 years of age are far lonelier as compared to the rest. There is a lack of community, which results in depression. In the worst case, this could lead to suicide.
Playing is a natural part of human nature. Among all of us, there is a dormant or an active play nature that is always waiting to be activated fully. Fundamentally speaking, we are SOCIAL species. For us, playing is a means of fueling up the forces of life, even when we are facing challenging circumstances. There is no doubt that we are hard-wired to enjoy playing, and will always need it regardless of the situation. After all, it shows up naturally in us when we are young. However, we tone it down as we grow up. This certainly does not mean that the craving to playfully vanishes away.
So missing out on playing opportunities regardless of age is one of the significant risk factors for mental health problems. When there is a lack of participation in a community, emotions of loss and sadness take over. As a result of this, humans end up dealing with mental health issues such as depression which can even take worse forms later on.
The lack of communities combined with geographical distances from family members even makes things worse. Now, this aspect of emotional verve and support that was present in our biological heritage from millions of years has gone missing.
Simply put, visiting an older family member during the holidays does not mean that it is sufficient for their emotional well-being. Hence, that alone will not get rid of loneliness and depression. Now, many types of research are focusing on something called the 'play science.' This is because significant transformations through play can occur even in patients who are suffering from dementia.
Indeed, lonely and depressed seniors tend to fully embrace the play patterns just like they used to embrace it a long time ago. Hence, we need to bring elements of playing back in our lives to combat sadness and loneliness. This especially applies to older people, including parents, older siblings, and older couples such as grandparents. Indeed, this is the only way towards healthy mental and physical aging.
