A common misconception regarding older adults is that with age, people become more set in their ways and resistant to change. While this may have some accuracy to it, it's not completely true 100% of the time. No matter what stage of life you're at, there's always time to recognize negative or unhealthy mental habits and behaviors and improve your quality of life by addressing them.
Anxiety is not an inherent fact of aging and it's highly treatable amongst older adults. Nonetheless, anxiety seems more common than ever amongst this age bracket, affecting roughly 1 in 5 older adults every year. Here's a look at how anxiety manifests in older adults, situations that increase the risk of it, and some tips on managing it.
Anxiety comes in many forms. For some, anxiety may simmer at a low level, resulting in stress caused by sudden changes in life; for others, it may manifest in extreme feelings of being incredibly distressed, overwhelmed or worried to the point of inhibiting day-to-day functionality and concentration.
The earlier you identify and treat anxiety, the easier it is to reverse its negative effects on your health and prevent long-term harm.
Older adults who suffer from anxiety may exhibit or express it in many different ways, including:
One source of anxiety for older adults that can be particularly daunting is the presence of chronic medical conditions that may hinder quality of life. Respiratory and heart-related conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arrhythmia can be very distressing on not only a physical level, but also on mental and emotional levels.
In addition, thyroid conditions and diabetes have been shown to increase the risk of anxiety in older adults as well, as well as frequent sleep disturbances and medication side effects.
Increases in physical limitations or weakness in older adults is an understandable source of anxiety as well. If you were once able to run a mile without batting an eye and now find yourself having to use a walker or wheelchair to get from point A to point B, you may naturally feel a little frustrated or distressed by this.
A lack in mobility is a common cause of anxiety amongst older adults; if you're rarely able to leave the house alone or need assistance getting in and out of the car, you may experience anxiety when asking for help.
From traumatic childhood experiences to the death of a loved one, stressful life events play a huge role in developing issues with anxiety as an older adult.
If anxiety goes untreated, you may be at greater risk for developing cognitive disorders or dementia. On top of this, anxiety can even affect your immune health in ways you may not notice right off the bat, such as staying sick longer. These potential health defects that come with anxiety can not only cause a significant decline in your quality of life, but also may even impede your ability to take care of yourself.
Not to worry — anxiety is just as treatable in older adults as it is for any other age demographic. Oftentimes, a combination of talk therapy and medication management is all that's needed to begin to reverse the effects of anxiety in an older adult.
Meditation and deep breathing have been shown on countless occasions to significantly reduce anxiety levels at a rapid rate. By taking the time to slow down and breathe deeply, you lower your heart rate, and you'll find your stress levels decrease along with it. In fact, at The Gardens, we frequently encourage our residents to meditate as often as possible — daily, even. Take a moment to look past whatever is causing your anxiety to be here in the present moment.
One of the biggest benefits to eating healthily is having a sustainable amount of nutrients and energy for your mind to function and process things correctly. Many foods have been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, including:
Virtually all forms of exercise produce endorphins, which in turn relieve anxiety, boost your mood and promote positivity. Exercises don't have to be sweaty, strenuous and unenjoyable, either; even low-impact activities such as water aerobics and yoga can help you stay active whilst also enriching your daily quality of life.
The best method of managing anxiety is to accept help and support from those around you. Don't be afraid to shake your anxious weights from your shoulders by confiding in a loved one or a mental health professional. Simply having someone to talk to regularly can help you learn to break your anxiety's chains and take back control of your own life.
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The Gardens Assisted Living and
Memory Care
1302 W. Sunset St.
Springfield, MO 65807
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