Even a short distance from Mooresville's Byers Creek, with its beautiful landscape, almost a quarter of adults in North Carolina are likely to report symptoms of depression. These numbers from KFF in 2025 reinforce the fact that many people still have issues when it comes to breaking the stigma of mental health.
So, what can be done to ensure that those facing memory care and mental health demands overcome the problems inherent in stigma and aging?
Below, discover how emotional support for older adults involves directed education in mental health awareness for seniors. Learn why it's so tough for many seniors to get over this issue, and how senior wellness in NC can be much easier when you have the right help available.
Finally, learn some practical advice on how to engage in open and honest dialogue to build lasting support systems for yourself or a loved one.
With its strong legacy of being "Race City USA", Mooresville promotes a distinct aura of independence and self-reliance when it comes to handling one's issues.
This attitude even exists when it comes to problems that can cause long-term issues, such as grief or loneliness, which are often at epidemic levels in senior care.
This attitude leads many seniors to equate asking for help with a form of weakness. They recall their parents and grandparents expressing these tenets following World War II in the 20th century and have adopted those values themselves.
Similarly, fear of gossip in tight-knit communities like senior communities, along with everyone holding to this stigma, means that nobody wants to admit to their mental health struggles, and everyone suffers instead.
Not only do many of North Carolina's aging population believe that talking about modern mental health concepts is just "trendy" or a weakness, but they also have a legacy of seeing their grandparents and parents mislabeling depression as "just old age". They lack good role models who have spoken openly about therapy, which is why the staff at a community like TerraBella Lake Norman needs to work hard to overcome these preconceptions.
While nobody is suggesting that NASCAR culture is not a positive for a community, it does come with an underlying foundation of silent strength and simply enduring through difficulty. The concepts of "pushing through pain" can make emotional vulnerability feel like a taboo, especially as others may ignore an individual expressing challenges, or even mock them.
Sadly, the prevalence of depression in those aged 60+ was around 8.7% only two years ago, and it does not look like it is going to go down soon through "endurance" alone, making it something that we must all deal with.
Without good education or examples to turn to when suffering, one of the first hurdles is simply a lack of knowledge of who to turn to. A lack of digital literacy means that those in senior care may not know how to research the best options for themselves, if they wish to do so privately. People self-diagnose their issues as a lack of personal fortitude, and then don't know whether to use:
Without this knowledge, the difficulty of the decision can lead to long-term "analysis paralysis".
If you know someone who you think needs to have a conversation to help them out, the first thing you can ask them may be simple. At the next social event, try out some of the easiest ways to assist someone you care for, such as:
You may not get through right away, but if you plan to spend longer around them, they may open up over a longer conversation.
It's important to note that framing mental health as a part of someone's overall wellness, or in the context of how it's affecting their physical health, can also normalize this topic. Sharing your own feelings can help break the ice for someone unaccustomed to talking about their emotions. Of course, try not to aim too high, and don't overwhelm them. If they're not ready, they may close off if you push too hard.
One of the best ways to normalize sharing is to do it yourself, perhaps during a shared event. Share a story that has affected you, especially one that happened recently, and try to frame it in a relatable way. Mention your emotions without making a big deal of them, as simply saying that you felt something may be good enough to get them to recognize it in themselves.
If they then back off, try to emphasize that seeking help is a sign of wisdom, using metaphors if necessary. It can help to shift someone's perception and help them recognize that emotions will not cause harm. You can even point out heroes of theirs who have done the same if they become nervous.
Here in our community, we recognize the importance of having such conversations. We train our staff to recognize when our residents may be experiencing difficulties and emphasize the importance of using respectful language in these situations. We focus our attention on the individual, understanding that helping them emerge from their challenges may take time and effort.
Our primary concern is the safety of residents in our community, and we will ensure that everyone receives the necessary support.
The simple question of "How are you really doing?" is powerful. Here at Terrabella Lake Norman, we use conversations like these to help when working towards breaking the stigma of mental health and offer real support to our residents. We also utilize Memory Care activities and other engagement methods to lift the spirits of everyone in our care.
To learn more about what we do and how we can assist you or a loved one, please contact us. Book a tour of our community and discover how we can help you or your loved one today.