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. Unfortunately, these events are often negative, involving wars, natural disasters, or other distressing situations. Consuming a large amount of worldwide negative content can lead to mental health concerns and anxiety over events beyond our control. At Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne, we understand how media coverage of bad news can affect mental health, particularly for older adults. That is why we have written this blog, where we share practical tips on how to help seniors cope when there is bad news in the media.

While everyone encounters bad news in the media as it tends to drive ratings and therefore become a focus for programs, the effects can differ depending on life circumstances. When you live a whole and active life, negative information may be balanced by other positive activities and experiences. However, 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.

Older adults are also influenced and impacted by their past experiences. 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 a sense of 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. Encourage your loved one to consume less media and choose balanced, reputable sources. Some outlets focus heavily on sensational or negative stories that portray the worst in everything, which can amplify distress. 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 overload them with exposure. If something is going on that all commercial TV channels are covering, consider setting them up with a 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. Acknowledging these emotions is important, 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 novel things you hear about can also help balance the negativity in the media and show that it is not all doom and gloom.

Conclusion

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 South East Melbourne, can bring enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently. For more information, get in touch with Home Care Assistance South East Melbourne today.