Aging brings with it a variety of different challenges for seniors. Even if they’ve never dealt with anxiety in the past, it can become a big problem while seniors work at aging in place. Figuring out how to manage anxiety properly is a huge part of helping seniors to enjoy their lives and have a positive experience as they continue to age at home. One of the best ways to address senior anxiety is to offer solutions for loneliness, like bringing in companion care at home.
Why Are Seniors Anxious?
It can look on the surface as if seniors really don’t have much of a reason to experience anxiety. But problems with mobility, losing people they love, and dealing with chronic health conditions can add up and cause seniors to feel anxious. Sometimes side effects from medications that help health issues lead to anxiety issues. Most seniors are likely to experience a combination of causes.
Signs of Senior Anxiety
The signs of senior anxiety can be as obvious as changes in sleeping and eating habits or even increased trouble with memory and focus. For many seniors, the signs of anxiety are physical, like a racing heartbeat, nausea, and trembling muscles. Other seniors might experience repetitive thoughts or feel a need to repeat actions, like checking door locks. Keeping track of what symptoms seniors experience can help them spot patterns. Home care providers can help with this type of tracking, making it easier for seniors to have information ready for medical providers.
Types of Anxiety
When most people talk about anxiety, they might just refer to it as anxiety. But there are different types of anxiety, and seniors might be experiencing a specific version. Phobias are very specific fears or worries, which usually encompass situations like doctor’s visits, being alone, or storms. Social anxiety usually occurs when seniors are nervous in social situations, like meeting new people or engaging in group activities. Companion care at home can be incredibly helpful for seniors with social anxiety, because they offer one-on-one companionship with no pressure. Another common type of anxiety is obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. If OCD is severe, therapy can help.
Lifestyle Changes That Help Anxiety
If there’s no obvious cause for senior anxiety, including underlying medical conditions, then lifestyle changes can sometimes help. Avoiding caffeine, especially later in the day, can help when seniors experience jitters related to anxiety. Improving sleep habits, adopting a healthy diet, and getting some more movement in every day can all work, too, especially if seniors talk with their doctors first.
Putting Other Support in Place
Sometimes what seniors need in order to manage anxiety is regular companionship. Companion caregivers are slightly different from elder care providers. They don’t focus on hands-on caregiving assistance, but instead offer friendly companionship on a schedule that works for seniors and their families. Companion care at home is flexible and allows seniors to have someone to talk with, engage in activities with, and help them to feel comfortable as they age in place.
Managing senior anxiety doesn’t have to feel complicated for families. Companion care at home can offer support in a variety of ways, ensuring that seniors have someone to talk to and someone to notice when they need more support.
If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Danville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.
