Mental health problems are a common concern for older adults. 20% or more of adults over the age of 55 report or are diagnosed with at least one mental health condition. These include anxiety, depression, and severe cognitive impairment. If your elderly parent or loved one is anxious, you can rest assured that this is common, and there are steps that you can take to help them. 

Steps to deal with an elderly loved one’s anxiety

1. Talk to a doctor

The first step in dealing with any new or emerging anxiety symptoms is to have a professional assess the level of the problem. While there are many steps that your loved one or you can take to help deal with anxiety, it’s always important to make sure that it’s not a symptom of an underlying medical issue. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and other mental health problems can require medical interventions in addition to help from you or other caregivers. 

2. Address Lifestyle Factors

A healthy diet, regular exercise, and a consistent social life all help keep symptoms of anxiety and depression at bay. Unfortunately, existing mental health problems make it more difficult for people to stick to these healthy habits. Helping your parent or loved one maintain a healthy lifestyle with an appropriate level of activity can go a long way towards addressing their anxiety. 

3. Consider Specific Triggers

As you follow any of these steps, it’s important to listen closely to what your parent or loved one is telling you about their own anxiety. If you can, ask your parent or loved one what they are anxious about. Anxiety can be a symptom of loneliness. It can be a reaction to the uncertainty of aging, and the loss of independence. In these cases, addressing the specific issues that are causing the anxiety can relieve the symptoms. 

4. Consider a Formal Caregiving Arrangement

If your parent or loved one’s anxiety is a reaction to the stressors and uncertainty of aging, a formal caregiving arrangement could be very helpful. In-home care is a personalized program of one-on-one care in your loved one’s home. A personal care assistant can help them with ADLs/IADLs, and provide consistent, caring companionship. Not only can this help to alleviate loneliness in older adults, but it can also provide a sense of security and safety. With a formal plan in place, your loved ones knows that their needs will be met. 

The FCH Difference

Since 1986, Family Choice Healthcare has been in the business of providing top-quality care to the elderly and disabled in their homes. Our trained Personal Care Assistants can help older adults maintain their independence and stay in their home even as they experience some of the functional decline that is normal with aging. In-home care is customizable, with PCAs coming anywhere from once a week to seven days a week, depending on the needs of their patients. If you would like to talk to someone about how in-home care could help your loved one, contact us for a free consultation. We’d love to help.