Mental health is often less visible than physical health, but it is no less important. It affects how we think, feel, and interact with the world and with each other. Whether it’s managing daily stress, navigating life transitions, or simply striving to stay mentally sharp and emotionally balanced, caring for our mental health is essential at every stage of life.
“Emotional and psychological wellness play a vital role in our overall well-being,” says Brad Dilday, Executive Director. “At Springmoor, we embrace a whole-person approach to wellness, one that nurtures not just our physical bodies, but our minds and spirits as well.”
Our community is fortunate to have a wide variety of programs and support systems designed to enrich mental and emotional wellness—from art classes to line dancing, yoga classes to the Springmoor putting green, community discussions led by our chaplains, and much more. We encourage residents to take advantage of some of the many resources available to them throughout the year.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Holidays
“The holiday season at Springmoor is full of traditions and opportunities to connect, but this time of year can also bring moments of sadness or stress—often called the ‘holiday blues,’” says Kelsey Sloan, Director of Clinical Services.
These feelings are common and usually short-term, but they can still affect your well-being. Signs may include fatigue, changes in sleep, headaches, or feeling a sense of loss.
“Acknowledging your feelings is the first step,” Kelsey says. “It’s okay if you don’t always feel festive. Sharing your thoughts with friends, neighbors, or Springmoor staff can make a big difference.”
Simple Ways to Care for Yourself
Prioritize self-care: Maintain a regular sleep routine, engage in calming activities, and limit alcohol.
Acknowledge loss: Holidays can remind us of people or traditions we miss. Creating new traditions or joining community events can bring comfort and connection.
Support others: Acts of kindness and checking in on neighbors can lift your own spirits too.
Set realistic expectations: Try not to overcommit. Choose the activities and people that truly bring you joy. Avoid tasks and events that feel overwhelming; spend your time and energy on pursuits that are meaningful to you.
Springmoor Offers Many Options for Structured Support All Year Round
Our chaplains, social worker, and other staff members have extensive training and experience supporting older adults. Staff-led group meetings for residents that occur on a regular basis include our Dementia Support Group, Parkinson’s Support Group, Low Vision Support Group, and Grief Support Groups.
Dementia Caregivers Support Group brings together residents with a spouse or other loved one with dementia to share their experiences and offer support to one another. Staff provide practical education and resources during these monthly sessions. While caregivers attend the support group, their loved ones enjoy safe, engaging activities with professional caregivers.
The Parkinson’s Support Group meets monthly and offers residents with Parkinson’s and their spouses the opportunity to encourage each other. Clinicians from Springmoor’s partner Trinity Rehab provide practical information on coping and thriving with Parkinson’s.
The Low Vision Support Group meets every other month to provide a time for residents with vision loss to meet and share resources, strategies for coping, and emotional support. Speakers from Department of the Blind and other experts make presentations on resources for adapting to low vision.
Staff offer annual Grief Support Groups with psychoeducation about the stages of grief and its impact on the mind and body. On an ongoing basis, our two full-time chaplains provide spiritual support and pastoral care and counseling to residents, families, caregivers, and staff in keeping with their individual belief systems. The chaplains also offer a five-week “Coping with the Holidays” grief support group every fall for residents.
Throughout the year, staff presents on topics like loneliness, avoiding scams, and end-of-life planning. Being proactive in facing challenging situations is a characteristic of our residents, and they welcome honest discussion about topics that impact them in this season of life.
The Caring Circle is a resident-led, coping-with-grief group. Their motto is “Helping ourselves and helping others as we navigate life’s often challenging pathways.” Residents who lead the Circle are mental health professionals, trained Stephen Ministers, and/or hospice volunteers. If a resident is feeling a bit blue or grieving a loss, they’re welcome to attend these twice monthly meetings.
Caring Circle provides a time to talk non-stop from grief—or simply to listen. The group provides a free-flowing time to just be and to mourn. Residents also have the opportunity to share caregiving concerns and experiences. Whether their grief is recent or long-standing, residents are welcome to join to give and to receive.
Spirituality & Mental Health: The Power of Gratitude
You will often hear gratitude being expressed on the Springmoor campus, and there are many spiritual and mental health benefits that result from feeling grateful. Research demonstrates that regularly practicing gratitude can help reduce depression, improve sleep, and strengthen relationships.
“Spirituality and mental health are very interconnected, often complementing each other in the pursuit of inner peace and emotional resilience,” says Springmoor Chaplain Lori Higgins. “Spirituality, whether rooted in religion or a personal sense of connection to something greater, can provide a framework for understanding life’s challenges and purpose as well as cultivating hope.”
Gratitude fosters mindfulness and presence, helping us live more fully and appreciate each moment. When we incorporate gratitude into daily spiritual practices—such as journaling, prayer, devotions, or quiet reflection—it can boost emotional resilience and increase our sense of vitality. Together, spirituality and gratitude create a strong foundation for better mental health and overall well-being.
Being intentional about feeling grateful can be a transformative spiritual practice for mental well-being. When we focus on what we are thankful for, no matter how small, it can shift our attention away from anxiety, sadness, or stress. Practicing gratitude helps us reframe negative experiences, fostering a sense of contentment and perspective.
Strengthening Our Connections to Others
At Springmoor, we believe that fostering a connected, caring community is one of the most powerful ways to support each other’s emotional health. When we feel seen, heard, and valued, our hearts are lighter—and our community thrives.
“The connections we share contribute enormously to our mental and emotional well-being,” says Jessica Pagan, Assistant Executive Director. “Whether it’s enjoying music together, reminiscing about the past, participating in group activities, or sharing heartfelt conversations, these moments help ease stress, reduce feelings of isolation, and strengthen our sense of purpose and belonging.”
Mental Health, a Critical Component of Overall Health Regardless of Age
Just as our knowledge regarding many diseases has evolved over time, our understanding of how to support optimum mental health has improved. One area in which we have a significant body of recent research is how anxiety can affect cognitive decline.
The symptoms of anxiety include racing thoughts, restlessness, worry, increased heart rate, dizziness, trembling, tense muscles, or difficulty sleeping. Studies have shown anxiety can have a negative effect on a person’s working memory. Working memory is the ability to receive information and engage with that information temporarily. Working memory facilitates our ability to problem solve and follow instructions.
Anxiety can also have a negative effect on attention. When we’re unable to focus, this may decrease our ability to problem solve, follow instructions, and make decisions. Appropriately managing anxiety can help.
Approaches to try include:
- Working with a professional counselor to identify coping strategies.
- Practicing meditation and deep breathing exercises.
- Prioritizing regular physical exercise.
- Eating a balanced, healthy diet rich in fresh foods.
- Working with your primary care provider or a specialist to address anxiety with medications.
Beyond Prescriptions: Your Pharmacy’s Role in Mental Wellness
“Your pharmacist can be a valuable resource in supporting your mental health,” says Haley Webster, Springmoor Pharmacist. “From medication management to offering guidance and resources, pharmacists are trained to help you navigate your mental health journey.”
If you’re prescribed medications for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders, your pharmacist can help ensure you understand how to take your medications correctly. Pharmacists can also provide information on potential side effects and how to manage them, as well as checking for interactions with any other medications you’re taking.
Ask your pharmacist about non-prescription options they recommend that may help with stress management and overall well-being. Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, certain vitamins, and herbal remedies may support mental health. Always consult with a pharmacist to ensure safety and effectiveness.
If you’re supporting a family member or friend dealing with mental health challenges, pharmacists can provide educational resources to help you better understand their condition and be a source of support. The Springmoor Pharmacy is more than a place to pick up prescriptions! We are a trusted partner in our residents’ healthcare journey.
The Mental Health Benefits of Home Care
According to the CDC, approximately 20% of adults over age 55 experience some form of mental health concern, most commonly anxiety and depression. For seniors, these issues may be intensified by isolation, health challenges, or the loss of a loved one.
“Without proper care and attention, these mental health challenges can lead to physical decline, cognitive impairment, and a reduced quality of life,” says Christine Stockmoe, Springmoor Home Care Supervisor. “We offer home care services both to Springmoor residents and other seniors living in Wake County.”
Isolation is one of the leading causes of mental health decline in older adults. Springmoor Home Care aides can help by offering companionship, engaging in conversation and encouraging participation in activities. This regular interaction helps to build trust, gain support, and reduce loneliness.
Home Care aides can also assist with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, meal preparation and medication reminders, thus relieving stress and promoting independence. Maintaining a routine and receiving support with personal care can greatly boost self-esteem and emotional stability.
Whether you’re a Springmoor resident or live in your own home in Wake County, our caregivers can also help with laundry, tidying, and household organization to ensure your home environment is safe and comfortable. For seniors facing memory loss, home care services can provide targeted cognitive stimulation, memory games, puzzles, and structured routines that help to keep older adults calm, content and engaged. Spouses can benefit greatly from this type of outside support.
Proper medication use is essential in treating mental health conditions. For current residents, Springmoor Home Care offers a short visit to provide daily medication reminders to ensure that medications are taken correctly and on time.
Springmoor Home Care is much more than physical help. Our exceptional caregivers bring compassion, companionship, and practical assistance, so that you can enjoy life to the fullest!
A Clean & Orderly Living Space Can Boost Mental Well-Being
“A clean home can create help calm and reduce stress,” says Carisa Thomas, Housekeeping Director. Springmoor residents benefit from regular housekeeping that includes flat linen services.
Primary mental health benefits of maintaining a tidy space include:
- A Greater Sense of Order and Control: Cleaning and decluttering can restore a sense of control over your environment. In a 2017 study on young adults, Dr. Danielle Roeske, Psy.D., Vice President of Residential Services at Newport Healthcare, found clutter is linked to procrastination, overwhelm, and lower quality of life. “Our outer environment can act as a container for our emotional states,” she explains. “When there is order and structure to our outer environment, it can help us feel more able to manage some of the internal feeling states….”
- Familiarity and Consistency: People of all ages are generally comforted by routine and stability. Keeping your space organized can support feelings of calm, even when other areas of life are chaotic or disrupted. Dr. Roeske notes that “order” doesn’t mean perfection—everyone’s version looks different.
- Stress and Anxiety Relief: The act of cleaning also releases endorphins, which Dr. Roeske describes as natural pain and stress relievers that enhance well-being.
- Improved Focus and Concentration: An organized space helps to reduce distractions and support better focus. A 2011 study from Princeton’s Neuroscience Institute indicated that clutter-free environments aid mental clarity.
- Emotional Regulation: Cleaning can be therapeutic. It encourages slowing down, calms the mind, and offers a sense of accomplishment that lifts your mood.
Dr. Roeske reminds us that cleaning can be difficult for those experiencing anxiety, depression, or burnout. If so, connecting with a mental health professional can provide support and alternative coping tools. Here’s to better mental health—and a cleaner space!
Why Choose a Life Care Community Like Springmoor?
Choosing a CCRC like Springmoor offers long-term stability and security. Residents benefit from knowing that their housing, lifestyle, and care needs will be met, all within one community. Families of residents also gain peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are supported by a comprehensive care system and a professional staff.
A visit to our campus is the best way to fully understand what a special place Springmoor is! To schedule a personalized tour to see your favorite floor plan in-person and get the answers to all your questions, simply click here or call 919-848-7080 today.
