Mental Health Archives - Page 2 of 3

April 30, 2020September 3, 2020

5 Great Games That Seniors Can Play Together (While Engaging Their Minds!)

Playing games with your elderly loved ones is not only a great way to bond, spend time together, promote inter-generational fun whilst helping stimulate their mind. Games can provide a fun and subtle avenue for improving seniors’ memory and helping to keep them mentally active, alert, and engaged. Researchers have proved that seniors who are regularly stimulating their mind by exercising their brains on a regular basis and challenge themselves to try new things score markedly higher on cognitive testing. So if you’re looking for a way to bond with an older person in your life, while helping to sharpen their memory, give these games a try,even online with their laptop

Scrabble

More than just being fun, word games are an excellent tool that sharpens the mind and forces you to think laterally. provides food for mind sharpening. Playing word games such as Scrabble or Boggle, for example, promotes creativity, improves memory, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It also loved across generations and can be played by anyone, from a school-aged child learning to spell to a grandparent. Check out large tile versions of Scrabble which are perfectly designed for aging eyes. Have family fun while combating the early stages of dementia, however – make sure you remember that in the later stages of dementia these sorts of games could be too challenging and cause stress.

Card Games

Card games are an excellent way for seniors to enjoy each other’s company. The versatility of card games creates an environment in which seniors can think on the fly, develop a strategy, and reminisce about their childhoods. There are so many games that can be played using a single deck of cards from poker to bridge to their favourite games from childhood. Many seniors grew up playing card games and the nostalgia that comes from a deck of cards is undeniable. There are so many games that you can play poker, bridge, blackjack, rummy, hearts – the list goes on. Card games like these promote focusing, memory, and some healthy friendly competition!

Chess

Chess is a great game is perfect for younger or mentally active seniors. The fact that it is a two-player game promotes companionship keeping the players both engaged not only in the game but in conversation as well. The fun part is that, even if seniors have been playing this game their whole lives, you can never stop learning. It is always a challenge! Chess is a problem-solving, strategy game with straightforward rules that involve forward-thinking and spatial awareness. In fact, researchers have confirmed its positive impact on our brains. It has been proven that there is a link between playing chess and a lower chance of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s. Scientists say that seniors over the age of 75, who regularly played chess, did not show signs of developing dementia until well after their peers who hadn’t played the game. Similarly to Scrabble, there are large-scale chess boards and pieces that are perfect for aging eyes.

Bingo

Bingo is an easy but entertaining activity that is popular with seniors the world over. This game is great for promoting sensory engagement. When the numbers are called out seniors must listen attentively, then use their sight to scan their cards for the number – observing and memorising their own cards and then using their fine motor skills to physically mark off the numbers. Though the true benefit of this game is that, above all else, it is an exceptional social activity, which can help fight the epidemic that is geriatric loneliness and depression.

For residents who reside in aged-care homes such as Kew Gardens, Bingo is a common and much loved social activity. Easy to organise and to set up, it can be played in any care home or family home for that matter. Stimulate your senses and spice things up with a bit of healthy competition between peers – Bingo is a great way to engage older people in games and activities.

Pictionary

Pictionary is a popular drawing game that can be played by any age group and is perfect for inter-generational fun. Players can choose their teams and then must cooperate, work together and extrapolate guesses based on each other’s drawings. Regardless of your ability to draw, the game can be fun, in fact, sometimes the worse the drawing is, the more fun there is to be had. Though, keep in mind is that this game might not be the best choice for seniors with shaky hands or those who have arthritis.

Keeping the mind active, exercising the memory and sharpening the brain is as crucial for anyone looking to fight the signs of aging or dementia. Not only do these games keep seniors mentally challenged and stimulated but, they promote togetherness and companionship which is equally important when it comes to fighting loneliness and geriatric depression. These games are fun, simple, promote team-work and strategic thinking and can be played in aged-care homes or family homes.
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May 7, 2019

4 Things You Need to Know When Living with a Recovering Addict

“There are all kinds of addicts, I guess. We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away.”

– Sherman Alexie, author of “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”

Maybe I should have seen the signs. Maybe I did actually see them, but just plain ignored them. Maybe I even thought that her drug use was tame compared to others I knew. I guess I was just too in love, too uneducated about the subject of substance addiction, and too engrossed in my own selfish, well-being. Either way, it was months, probably years, before I realized she had one serious problem that neither of us could fix (excuse the pun)…

When things went the way I was dreading, and her addiction was suddenly seriously impacting her physical and mental health, I got educated – degree-standard educated. With advice sought from addiction specialists, I secured her a place at a drug rehab in Seattle, and her treatment finally began.

So here’s what my degree-standard education, majoring in substance addiction, and my continuing sabbatical now she is sober, back home living with me, has taught us both:

#1. One Day at a Time

What’s gone is gone. What’s still there, however, is still there. Taking one day at a time, just like a recovering addict has no choice but to do, is vital if you’re their partner. They may not have thanked you for the help you have given, but they will – one day. In other words, just live your life with them, enjoy the new memories you’re making, and, most of all, be with them when they need you. And always remember, you need to work hard yourself to leave the past where it is – gone. Lastly, relapses happen, even with everything in place. That’s what addiction is – a chronic relapsing brain disorder. All you can do is to try again.

#2. Open Lines of Communication

Any relationship needs open communication at its core, especially when one person is a recovering addict. When such communication exists, there is less space for deceit, a major part of any active addict’s life. Furthermore, you were probably very judgmental when the truth hit the fan, as it were, (as I was, stupidly) and so they may be reticent in speaking with you about what’s really going on in their head. Don’t despair. Keep those lines of communication open, and they’ll talk when they’re ready.

#3. The Necessary Trust

Broken trust is hard to put back together (as you’re probably finding out right now). However, it has to be done if your relationship is to survive. Remember, the recovering addict will feel damaged themselves, but now hopeful. Build that hope with them, and the trust will come. And, of course, rebuilt trust doesn’t happen overnight – give it time, as with all things.

#4. Your Own Health

Each of these 4 things is pretty essential, but none more so than this. Your physical, mental, and emotional health is paramount. That’s not being selfish ( as I first thought), but plain common sense. Think of the parent (that’s you, by the way) and their child sat in the plummeting plane. In other words, put your own oxygen mask on first. If you pass out, you are absolutely no help to them…

Think Lego. Yes… Lego

As a kid, I used to love my Lego. Every Christmas and birthday – new Lego to put together in breakneck speed. I loved the stuff. However, we all grow up, and find that “adult Lego” is far more complicated, highly intricate, and there’s no instructions. None at all. And, most of the time, you’re not dealing with three-dimensional physical shapes – you’re dealing with multi-dimensional thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Yes, “adult Lego” can be really hard to work out.

However, as adults, that’s all we can do. Try to work it out, and build something good. Living with a recovering addict is difficult, but a close, loving relationship (which is why you’re both together in the first place) is all that’s needed, just with a lot of work. These “4 Things You Need to Know When Living with a Recovering Addict” – one day at a time, open lines of communication, the necessary trust, and your own health – can be the foundations you need to rebuild what you had once before, substance-free.

What do you consider to be important when living with a recovering addict? Please feel free to share your thoughts with a comment below. Many thanks.
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January 11, 2019February 19, 2021

Does Your Child Quality For Special Education

If you’re a parent of a child who has learning or attention issues, it’s going to be important for you to know whether they’re eligible to receive what is known as ‘Special Education’. This is where your child will receive extra classes, mentors, resources or services that can help them achieve to the best of their abilities.

However, it’s important to note that not all children with these difficulties are entitled to these benefits and will depend on a lot of independent factors. To help you with this process, today we’re going to explore the three simple steps you need to take to find out where you are and what resources you have access too.

Step #1 – The Medical Diagnosis

The first thing you need to do is acquire an official diagnosis of your child’s disability. The chances are you’ve already got this, but for those of you who haven’t, you’ll need to start by booking an appointment with your doctor who will go through and conduct the appropriate tests.

This can take several weeks, sometimes several months, so you’ll want to make sure you’re starting this process as early as possible. During this time, your doctor should begin to speak with you about how this will affect your child’s education and what resources and services, such as the Miracle-Ear Bluetooth hearing aids, could be available to you.

Step #2 – An Educational Evaluation

Once the first step is out of the way, you’ll need to partake in educational evaluation. Just because your child has a certain condition, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s restricting to their ability to learn. After all, everybody is different, and the condition will affect people at different intensities.

Most likely, a team of professionals will carry out this test and may include people such as educators and even a psychologist.

In the end, the team will write up a report that will detail the findings from the test and will then set about making suggestions to help you in the future; as well as listing strengths, challenges, and possible requirements.

Step #3 – An Eligibility Program

If the test above states that your child will need help and assistance while in a learning environment, the final step you’ll need to take is to find out what kind of services and resources they are entitled to.

This is an evaluation that will take place via the school your child is attending, although external professionals may be invited to contribute. Based on the evaluation from Step #2, and the way the school policy operates, they’ll decide what is available to you.

This is completely up to the school, and if they don’t feel like your child needs special assistance, there are always other options and can talk and discuss with the examination board to appeal the decision at your own discretion.

Summary

If you don’t receive special assistance for your child, this can be quite a blow and may leave you feeling worried, or even panicked. However, the best thing to do is remain calm and always put the interests of your child first, ensuring they’re happy and with appropriate support and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community.

December 7, 2018

Largest Platform for Online Counseling – BetterHelp

BetterHelp – online counseling which has helped millions

BetterHelp was found in 2013 and since then it took off as one among the leaders in the field of online therapy. BetterHelp has offered more than 2000 US-based licensed professionals which are certified in several help areas. However, it is not just the size of the service which has pushed more than 1,000,000 people to utilize the benefits of this platform. They excel in usability, personalization apart from the privacy, anonymity which is unprecedented.

Being that Betterhelp is the largest platform for online counseling, there is a lot of information about them, including e-counseling.com and its review. It’s there, along with many other sites, where you can find a detailed analysis of Betterhelp in order to get an idea of how they have helped millions suffering from mental health-related issues. This largest online counseling platform promises to assist anyone with the internet connection to talk to professional therapists.

More about BetterHelp

In case you’re experiencing different life challenges, the network of more than 1200 board-accredited and licensed counselors can let you navigate them by utilizing a tablet or a computer or a mobile phone. You just have to log in to the computer and communicate with the counselor at your own pace. BetterHelp claims to have assisted more than 250,000 customers till date. There is no denying the fact that online counseling is way more convenient than traditional counseling. But are they affordable enough?

BetterHelp – How much do they cost?

There are several opinions on the pricing options that BetterHelp offers. There is one part of this website which claims that you only have to pay $45 in a week but if you go through the fine print, you will see that the amount is actually $70 in a week. Moreover, there are other places where it has been written that the customers have to pay as less an amount as $35 in a week.

The official website of BetterHelp indicates that all sorts of subscriptions are billed on the basis of a month but there are also options where you can choose between monthly, weekly or quarterly options. First, you have to sign up for the trial period where you pay $280 before you’re given the chance to alter your subscription plan. Soon after the initial 7 days, the account rolls over to a subscription that keeps recurring and which can be canceled by just logging in the account. You can reach out to the counselors of BetterHelp and they can be reached through 20-minute phone sessions.

So, if you’re going through any kind of mental health issue, you needn’t fret as you can get help from the BetterHelp counselors.

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