It’s common to worry about aging parents, especially when they need more help. Anxiety is a big problem for seniors, but it’s often missed.

The article will explain the signs of anxiety and how to help.

Watch for these signs of anxiety in older adults:

• + Trouble sleeping
• + Panic attacks
• + Feeling cranky or easily annoyed
• + Difficulty focusing
• + Racing heart
• + Shaking
• + Feeling scared of bad things happening
• + Tense muscles
• + Extra tired
• + Upset stomach
• + Rapid breathing

Anxiety is different from worry:

Worry is about a specific situation, but anxiety is like a big worry that won’t go away, even when there’s nothing to be scared of.

Many things can cause severe anxiety in older adults:

• + Big life changes, like moving to a new home
• + Money worries
• + Health problems
• + Not being able to do things they used to do on their own

Anxiety and/or related disorders don’t necessarily get worse as we age. However, older adults may experience anxiety differently. They might have a harder time managing anxiety because they’re used to thinking in certain ways. Also, some people develop anxiety for the first time later in life.

Panic attacks can be scary for older adults who’ve never had one. Here’s what to watch for:

• + Fast breathing
• + Racing heart
• + Sweating
• + Shaking
• + Feeling cold or hot
• + Nausea
• + Trouble breathing

If you see these signs, call a mental health professional or try relaxation techniques to help them calm down.

Treatment for anxiety in older adults can involve a few things:

+ Talking to a doctor or therapist: This helps them understand what type of anxiety they have and the best way to treat it.

+ Medicine: In some cases, medicine can help control anxiety symptoms.

+ Therapy: This type of therapy helps people learn new ways of thinking about things that make them anxious.

As always, we’re standing by to help if it’s time to explore an assisted living arrangement.

Our senior care home in Queen Creek is an exceptional place where loved one will be safe, comfortable, have access to a wide variety of fun and engaging activities, and receive skilled and compassionate care.