June is PTSD-Awareness month. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a debilitating mental health condition that affects some survivors of trauma. For aging adults with PTSD, in-home care can help with symptom management while maintaining independent living.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that affects some individuals after a traumatic or terrifying event. While many associate PTSD with veterans, many domestic situations may lead to the development of this condition. Survivors of domestic abuse, sexual harassment or abuse, muggings, car accidents, mass shootings, etc., may show signs or symptoms of PTSD. If your older loved one is a survivor of a traumatic event, they may eventually develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Symptoms of PTSD
One of the telltale signs of PTSD includes re-experiencing symptoms. This can include intrusive thoughts and memories, nightmares, or flashbacks. Individuals with this condition can often express avoidant behaviors to limit their exposure to similar conditions or experiences. This may lead to reclusive or isolationist behaviors. Hypervigilance, irritability, poor concentration, sleeping problems, and other symptoms may come as a result.
What Causes Re-Experiencing Episodes?
Depending on the traumatic event, there can be many triggers for your loved one’s PTSD episodes. Understanding and identifying potential triggers for your loved one can be important in helping reduce re-experiencing episodes.
Older Veterans with PTSD
Unfortunately, many veterans suffer from PTSD. For veterans, episodes can be triggered by a variety of situational or environmental factors. These factors can create further stressful situations for your loved one. Fireworks, loud TV shows, and sounds from video games can be common triggers for veterans.
Aging with Mental Health Conditions
Many older adults carry stigmas about mental health care and treatment. But it is important to help your loved ones identify when care is needed. If your loved one is suffering from a mental health condition, it is important to encourage them to seek proper care.
Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD does not have an easy fix. Like most mental health conditions, it takes time to work through your symptoms and triggers. Treatment usually revolves around trauma-focused psychotherapy. This can include a variety of treatment methods, such as CPT, Desensitization training, and Prolonged Exposure therapies. Medications may also be involved. Because PTSD can vary from person to person, treatment is often individualized and personalized.
In-Home Elder Care For Those With PTSD
As your loved one ages, care for their physical and mental well-being will likely be required. If they are living with PTSD, their care needs will be informed by their condition. By focusing on care in-home, you can help reduce situations where PTSD episodes occur, as it is easier to reduce and remove potential stressors than in a nursing home or assisted living facility. With more control over their environment, your loved one will also feel more in control, which can be beneficial in this regard as well.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services does not provide medical, healthcare, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for advice.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services has provided excellent home care on Staten Island since 1967. Our services help older and disabled individuals live safely and independently while giving their families the peace of mind they need. For more information, contact us or call (718)-979-6900.
