Three For The Price Of One?...May Is Mental Health Awareness, Older Americans and National Moving Month

In case you didn't know, May doesn't just bring flowers after April showers. It ushers in a trifecta of awareness campaigns re: mental health, older Americans and moving, all of which align with what we do as professional organizers and move management specialists.

Why Mental Health & Older Americans Month Go Hand in Hand

Unfortunately, any older Americans struggling with mental health issues while also trying to downsize and transition to senior living is hard...like, ridiculously hard. And compound it with so much chaos and uncertainty in our world at the moment, and it is a miracle anyone over the age of 65 is functioning at all, let alone able to navigate a move.

As I am putting pen to paper...or fingers to keyboard as the case may be...we have 2 elderly clients with brain injuries facing significant challenges as we are taking them through the very intentional decluttering and downsizing process. And two other projects that we are going to start in the next few weeks with two seniors who are both bipolar...one is a hoarder, and the other just can't maintain any degree of a filing system for paperwork that she insists on keeping, even though she really doesn't need any of it. Everything could be accessed online if need be, but convincing someone who is anxious and paranoid about life in general and appears also to be developing some degree of dementia to let go of anything they can no longer see without turning on a computer is frightening, to say the least.

As Americans are continuing to live longer but not necessarily healthier, the conversation around mental health should be evolving but instead it feels like it is devolving like so many other conversations we need to have regarding aging in this country. With nearly 1 in 5 Americans aged 65 and older experiencing some form of mental health concern, it’s time we give older adults the attention, compassion, and resources they deserve.

The Silent Struggle

Mental health challenges in older adults are often overlooked or misunderstood. Depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline can easily be mistaken for "just part of getting older."

But they’re not.

These issues are real, impactful, and, most importantly, treatable.

Unfortunately, stigma and generational views on mental illness keep many seniors from seeking help. While younger generations are more open about therapy and mental wellness, older adults may feel shame, embarrassment, or even fear of being judged.

Common Mental Health Challenges in Older Adults

• Depression – Often underdiagnosed, depression in older adults can be triggered by loss (of a spouse, independence, or physical health), isolation, or chronic illness.

• Anxiety – Changes in health, finances, or routine can lead to intense worry and panic, especially when support systems shrink.

• Dementia and Cognitive Disorders – Alzheimer’s and other dementias are not purely mental illnesses, but they deeply affect emotional well-being and require specialized support.

  
  

Why It Matters

Ignoring mental health in older adults has real consequences — higher risk of physical illness, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Mental wellness isn’t just about being “happy.” It’s about feeling secure, connected, and capable.

But here's the good news: older adults respond well to mental health treatment. Whether it's therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a mix, improvement is possible.

What Can We Do?

• Talk about it. Start conversations about mental health with your parents, grandparents, neighbors, and community members.

• Encourage regular check-ins. Mental health checkups should be as normal as physical ones.

• Support social connection. Loneliness is a huge risk factor. Programs like senior centers, community gardens, and volunteer groups can make a difference.

• Educate caregivers. Family members and home health workers should be trained to recognize warning signs and know how to respond.

Since I started writing this blog a few weeks ago when I mentioned some client scenarios above (I tend to let blogs "simmer" for a week or two and then fine tune before publishing), I received calls from 3 different social service agencies, all requesting help for clients who are less than a month away from losing their affordable housing due to hoarding. One of them, a formerly homeless person with mental health struggles, I was able to make a small dent in the kitchen the other day. The client hadn't used her stove in months because of the piles of stuff on top, not to mention the clutter throughout the entire space. She was extremely grateful for the help, but, of course, really struggled with letting go of even what would appear to be a very insignificant item like a small plastic take out container. It's still not done, but I did the best I could with the money she did have available for the one day. We are going back to continue the extensive decluttering process, but the rest of the work will probably need to be done pro bono. You can't tell from the angle the photo was taken that there were 6 very large boxes in there that the client decided she needed as counter/prep space because, well, the actual counters were covered in stuff.

Kitchen before

This cabinet was completely blocked by the big boxes mentioned above and was filled with expired food that unfortunately all had to be tossed...

So sad to have all of this food wasted ☹️

The area in front of the cabinet was where the large boxes were positioned for over two years...with stuff piled on top and no way to access the cabinets

Big improvement, but still need to get the floors sanitized, refrigerator and freezer emptied of any expired or rotting food, and the pantry (door on far right in photo) reorganized. That said, it definitely a step in the right direction.

Mental health doesn’t retire at 65.

The golden years should be filled with peace, connection, and emotional growth.

And yet here we are in 2025, with more and more seniors not getting the proper mental health care, unable to afford food, clothing and shelter and dying alone.

I was reminded of this quote at a recent Sunday morning yoga class...

...and I honestly can't think of a better quote to drive my entire blog point home.

I am focused on the "we" and am finally creating a volunteer corps for those clients who simply can't afford our services but desperately need them, especially any senior clients. If you live in the Greater Denver/Boulder area and would be interested in volunteering for any upcoming projects, please click HERE to provide the necessary information we will need to connect with you.

And on that note, I will be in Detroit this Memorial Day Weekend to visit my 88 year old father where I am hoping I will not be welcomed with a lot of clutter to contend with because it goes without saying that helping family doesn't always end well and why so many adult children do end up hiring a service like It's Just Stuff for their aging parents. But if he does need any help, I will obviously try my best. I still hear my mother's voice in my head 20 years after her death saying "I am sorry I am leaving you with him".

Yeah, my father can be challenging at times, but, then again, we all can be whether we want to admit it or not. No matter what your situation, hopefully there is something you can relate to and help with during National Moving, Mental Health and Older Americans Month.

Be well and, remember, always be kind,

Beth

Chief of Chaos To Calm