Family relationships can play an important role in our mental wellbeing throughout life. For older adults, positive connections can provide support and a sense of belonging. However, not all family relationships are beneficial, and can contribute to stress, conflict or feelings of being misunderstood. Let’s take a closer look at this.
When Family Relationships Support Wellbeing
Strong family relationships can help older adults feel valued and connected.
Family can offer:
- Companionship: Staying connected with the people you love can reduce loneliness and support emotional well-being during periods of change. Companionship care can be as simple as a quick phone call to check in can make a difference to someone’s day.
- Practical support: Factors such as reduced mobility and illness can mean some older adults need extra help. Support from family members with everyday tasks can make it easier for them to remain independent and safe.
- A sense of purpose: Retirement and changes to routines can sometimes leave people with less daily structure or goals to work towards.Family members can help give older loved ones a sense of purpose by including them in events, asking about their experiences and knowledge, and encouraging them to pursue hobbies they enjoy.
When Family Relationships Become Difficult
Some family relationships can negatively affect mental health. Long-term conflicts and unhealthy patterns can continue into later life, affecting both older adults and their adult children.
For an adult son or daughter, continuing to spend time with a parent when there are unresolved difficulties can sometimes be emotionally challenging. This scenario can also affect an older adult in different ways. They may have their own feelings about the relationship and its history, while their adult children may have a different perspective based on their own experiences.
This is just one example; every family relationship is different, and there are several scenarios that can make relationships between older adults and their adult children difficult. Disagreements, past experiences, changes in family circumstances, and varying perspectives can all contribute.
Boundaries and Difficult Family Relationships
Setting boundaries can help improve mental wellbeing. This might involve limiting conversations about topics that could lead to conflict or avoiding certain family events. For some people, keeping some distance may be more comfortable, while others prefer to work towards improving the relationship.
Remember, boundaries look different for everyone and depend on the specific situation.
Building Healthier Relationships in Later Life
Healthy relationships are built on respect and communication. As well as family members, there are other people out there you can connect with. Some sources of connection can include:
- Friendships: Friends can provide emotional support and social connection.
- Groups and hobbies: Meeting people who also enjoy the same hobbies and activities as you can give you something to bond over.
- Community groups: These allow you to meet new people while providing a sense of purpose.
- Support groups: These provide a chance to meet people with similar experiences, which can help you feel understood and learn advice from others.
Final Thoughts
Everyone deserves relationships where they feel respected, valued and accepted. Family relationships can help us feel supported, but in some cases, they can also be complicated. If you’re experiencing difficult family relationships, you aren’t alone.
Black Country Health is a mental health charity that aims to promote, improve, and enhance a better quality of life for those affected by poor mental health across the Black Country. We do this through a range of different services designed to help adults, young people, and children. Take a look at our website to find out more about what we do and how we can support you.
