Does Your Senior Loved One Have Severe Anxiety? 3 Ways In-Home Care Services Can Help Them Thrive

29 May 2019
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Anxiety symptoms sometimes increase as a person ages. While some seniors experience increased anxiety as a side effect of medication, others may find that trying to cope with life's changes as they age exacerbates their condition. Either way, severe anxiety symptoms can lead to enough distress that your loved one does not function well at home on their own. Seniors with severe anxiety may stop visiting with their friends, or they may begin to engage in unhealthy behaviors to avoid feeling negative emotions. Once you notice the signs of severe anxiety in your senior loved one, then you can use in-home care services to provide these benefits that allow them to live a happier life.

Serve as an Advocate at Medical Appointments

Few things can spike anxiety like waiting on the results of a health-related test. Your loved one may also struggle with social anxiety, in which case the thought of speaking to a doctor may cause them to panic. Home caregivers are adept at helping seniors to make it to their medical appointments, and they can even sit in the examining room with your loved one to provide support. As long as your loved one has developed a trusting relationship with their caregiver, they can also advocate for their health needs if your loved one is too afraid to speak up for themselves.

Provide Encouragement to Get Out of the House

A senior with anxiety is at higher risk of becoming isolated. Your loved one may have anxiety regarding something specific that a caregiver can easily take over, such as driving. It is also possible that your loved one is anxious about being exposed to a new social setting or about having to attend an event alone. With a caregiver, your loved one always knows that they have a source of support that will never judge them. In fact, home caregivers help to encourage seniors to get out of the house, and they can plan short visits into the community that help your loved one be more comfortable out in the world.

Offer Emotional Support During Challenging Times

Seniors face many life events that tend to be associated with higher levels of anxiety. Your loved one may fret over their unpaid bills, or they may have trouble sleeping when they know that someone they love is ill. In-home care often involves providing emotional support. When your loved one is worrying about something that they cannot control, a caregiver can let them talk it out. They can also offer new activities to do that help get your loved one's mind off of their worries.