How to Help Seniors Cope When There is Lots of Bad News in the Media
Access to news is easier than it has ever been. This means we can find out, and often watch rolling coverage, of newsworthy events around the world. These events are usually negative. They frequently involve wars, natural disasters, or other bad things. This can lead to a large amount of content consumption about negative events worldwide. Being exposed to this can lead to mental health issues and worrying about things we often have no control over. At Home Care Assistance, we understand the effects of bad news in the media on a person, particularly an older person, so we have written this blog on tips to help seniors cope when there is bad news in the media.
We all see bad news in the media. It tends to drive ratings and, therefore, what programmes focus on. However, when you live a whole and active life, this input of negative information is balanced out by the rest of your lives and all the good and business associated with that. Seniors, who are often at home, can be in a position where they do not have all the other good activities to balance out what they see on the news. This can lead to negative feelings about the state of the world and even mental health issues.
Their past experiences also impact older adults. They may have lived through wars, economic crises, and natural disasters, which have left them with feelings and memories that are easily stirred up by current events. This, combined with relative isolation, means older adults are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of bad news in the media.
Here are seven tips for managing this situation with your older loved ones:
Understanding the Impact of Bad News
Often, people do not realise the psychological impact of watching a lot of bad news in the
media. Being able to manage these effects starts with understanding them. Talk to your
loved ones about how constant exposure to negative news can lead to anxiety, depression,
and hopelessness.
It is also a good idea to talk about how their past experiences may affect their emotional
response to events, particularly if there is a history of traumatic events in their lives.
Limit Exposure to Negative News
It can be a good idea to reduce exposure to negative news. This can be achieved by watching less news and being careful about which news sources are being watched. Some news sources are likelier to focus on negative information or portray the worst of everything. Ensure their news sources are accurate and balanced. It can also be helpful to set a time of the day when they watch the news. For example, maybe they watch half an hour of news at 6 pm. This enables them to stay in touch with what is happening but not give too much exposure. If something is going on that all commercial TV channels are covering, consider setting them up with some streaming service (some of these have free trials), so they have
something else to watch.
Encourage Healthy Conversations
Encourage your older loved one to talk about their feelings if they have seen something
distressing. They should acknowledge their feelings. However, limit these conversations
and ensure they are balanced with positive, constructive discussions about good things
happening in the world.
Promote Positive Activities
Keeping engaged in positive activities also helps to balance out negative news. For instance,
your loved one may enjoy crafting, gardening, or reading. They could also consider getting
involved in volunteer opportunities with local community groups- this can provide a
positive environment and a sense of purpose. Other positive activities that can help create a
positive sense of calm include meditation, yoga, or gentle exercise.
Foster Social Connections
One of the things that makes older people more vulnerable to the harmful effects of bad
news in the media is social isolation. You can help reduce this by having regular family
check-ins. You could even have a family roster so no one needs to carry the load, but your
loved one has regular company.
Social connections can also be strengthened by joining local clubs or online classes where
seniors can connect with each other
Provide Resources for Support
If your older family member (or any family member) is being triggered by bad news in the
media due to past experiences, engaging with mental health support may be a good idea. A
local GP is often a good place to start to find help. Alternatively, support groups can be
useful in processing information alongside others facing the same challenges.
Encourage a Balanced Perspective
Encourage your older loved ones to think critically about the information they consume. It
is important to consider whether it is balanced and rational, or sensationalised and one-
sided. This can help them identify news stories geared towards creating a reaction rather
than presenting information. Sharing positive news stories, highlights of your day, or things
you hear about can also help balance the negativity in the media and show that it is not all
doom and gloom.
It is important to know what is going on in the world. However, watching too much negative
news in the media can have psychological consequences, particularly for older and more
vulnerable people. If you follow these tips, you can help to balance this out and reduce those
negative consequences for your loved one.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring
enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently. Home
Care Assistance has viable solutions for supporting independent living. For more
information, get in touch with Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne today.
