Anxiety is much more common in seniors than many family members realize. Seniors tend not to talk about their anxiety or seek help for it, but studies show that more than one in ten seniors have symptoms of anxiety. According to a recent survey, more than 60% of adults, including seniors, admitted to struggling with anxiety in the past year.
The number of people with anxiety has gotten so high that soon an assessment for anxiety may be a standard part of the medical care for people over 60.
Seniors who are aging in place can develop anxiety when they lose their partner or spouse. Or when they don’t maintain strong social connections with family members, neighbors, and friends. Seniors anxious about being alone can benefit greatly from companion care at home. Companion care at home ensures seniors get the social interaction and support they need.
Your senior loved one may not talk to you about their anxiety. If you wait for them to come to you and say that they’re having symptoms of anxiety, they might never do that. So you should be watching for these signs of anxiety and taking steps to get them help if you see any of them:
Excessive Worrying
If your senior parent seems suddenly worried about minor things or becomes fixated on some things, those are signs of anxiety. For example, if your senior loved one needs to hear from you several times a day because they are convinced something bad has happened to you, that’s a sign of anxiety. Likewise, your senior parent worried excessively about things like fires, floods, or accidents happening. That’s a sure sign of anxiety.
Changes in Behavior
Behavioral changes that seem out of character or sudden can also indicate your senior parent is suffering from anxiety. Not sleeping at night, or sleeping all the time, can both indicate an anxiety disorder. Having to check all the locks multiple times before going to bed, or only feeling safe using a particular door, are more signs of anxiety.
Not Wanting To Leave The House
Your senior parent liked going out to meet friends and do things, but now they actively avoid leaving the house. That’s a good indication that they have some anxiety. If they only feel safe at home, then something is making the world seem scary to them. They may need professional help to figure out why they don’t want to leave the house.
Irritability
Irritability is a pretty general symptom and could indicate many things. However, irritability in conjunction with other symptoms could mean your senior loved one is struggling with anxiety. They might not know how to express what they’re feeling. It’s very common for seniors to be irritable when they feel scared or anxious.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Companion Care at Home in Queen Creek, AZ, or anywhere in the East Valley, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care.
Call (480) 777-0070
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/anxiety-and-older-adults-a-guide-to-getting-the-relief-you-need
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-anxiety-in-older-adults
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/anxiety-in-older-adults
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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