Let’s face it: sometimes life’s curveballs strike hard and when they do, you need some extra help. We encourage you to seek professional help if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Extreme or unusual avoidances of people or things you enjoy doing
- Change mind frequently, can’t make decisions
- Very moody or agitation without reason
- Major changes in eating, sleeping and personal care
- Constant fatigue or unexplained stomach issues
- Sudden differences in attitude and behavior
- Having delusions or hallucinations
- Substance misuse
Needing professional help is common and nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t let negative self-talk keep you from seeking help. “I haven’t gotten around to it” or “ I don’t know where to start” are easy excuses. You deserve to be your best self!
If you are considering suicide or have thoughts of harming yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8.
Other resources available:
- Pennsylvania’s Support & Referral Helpline connects Pennsylvanians with mental and emotional support and to local resources. Call 855-284-2494 (TTY: 724-631-5600).
- Call 2-1-1 to reach the United Way and get connected to help in your area. Search crisis services, hotlines, and warmlines near you on the United Way of Pennsylvania website.
Feeling Down
Everyone feels blue from time to time — and you are no exception. Sadness might result from a missed opportunity, disappointment, betrayal, or loss. When this happens, your appetite and sleep may be disrupted. You may experience some fogginess and confusion, or you might want to be left alone to process. These are all normal feelings associated with being down or sad.
The difference between sadness and depression is that the feelings eventually go away when you are sad. You are still able to focus on daily responsibilities and can lift your spirits by doing something that brings you joy, like:
- Talk with a friend who makes you smile
- Look at a photo of you having fun
- Watch a comedy (laughter is a great remedy)
- Dance like nobody’s watching
- Draw a silly self-portrait
- Change your routine
- Do a random act of kindness for someone
Find the joy: When you are feeling sad, focus on something positive or humorous. It’s a great way to cope, adapt, and brighten your spirits.
Feeling Vulnerable: Scams and Fraud
A member of a church befriended a recent widower of the congregation. Each time they were together, the church member told the widower about a family situation causing them stress. Eventually, the church member asked the widower to borrow a large amount of money to help, and the widower wrote a check without questioning it. When doing their parent’s taxes, the adult children learned their parent gave the church member the money and it was not used for its intended purpose.
We live in a world where some people prey on others to benefit themselves. Scams and frauds are becoming even more sophisticated.
Sadly, family and friends may occasionally be the very people trying to take advantage of you. According to the National Council on Aging, over 90% of all cases of elder abuse are committed by family members. It’s important that you know how to avoid being taken advantage of by strangers — and those closest to you.
So how do you protect yourself? The National Council on Aging provides 8 tips to protect yourself. Keep these additional tips in mind:
- If something ever feels questionable, too good to be true, inconsistent, or unusual in any way, it is most likely a scam.
- If you are contacted and asked to provide login information, a Social Security number, bank account or credit card information, it is most likely a trap.
- If you are asked to open an attachment from someone you don’t know or receive a communication with misspelled words, an unfamiliar greeting, or a sender name that is off by a letter or two (look carefully), it is most likely a fraud.
AARP has also been fighting fraud targeted to older adults since 1958. The organization is at the forefront of educating older adults and helping them fight back. AARP’s website provides all you need to know about different types of scams and how to address them.
Feeling Unsure: Physical and Emotional Safety
No one deserves to be physically or verbally abused, abandoned, exploited, or neglected. No one ever deserves to be at imminent risk of harm, death or serious physical harm, or have their money or assets stolen and misused.
If you are 60 or older and these things are happening to you, it is elder abuse. To report elder abuse in York County, call the Older Adult Protective Service Program of the York County Area Agency on Aging at 717-771-9610.
Feeling Stressed
Visit TroveStreet’s section on Managing Stressed under Healthy Living/Learn to Embrace Healthy Living for tips and strategies to help you cope.
TroveStreet is Here to Help
If you haven’t already, create an online profile with TroveStreet where you can jot down things you want to keep handy based on what you read or save this article for easy access. TroveStreet offers a Quick-Start Planning Tool with four questions to facilitate your planning. If you have questions or want to connect with a Planning Navigator, call TroveStreet at 717-363-1129.
