There are many challenges to caring for an elderly loved one. However, this is compounded when your elderly charge has anxiety. Elderly anxiety can be difficult, not just for you, but of course to your loved one who is struggling with it.

Increased anxiety occurs especially for seniors who undergo many changes at this stage in their lives. Often, this happens when they get diagnosed with an illness or condition, when their children move away, or when they become more frail and have to rely on others. They may also feel isolated and lonely.

As a caregiver to someone with elderly anxiety, you have to understand that this is also a condition and that there are many symptoms associated with it. They may easily become sad or overwhelmed with setbacks or even everyday challenges. Furthermore, these can also translate to their physical health. This is why it’s important to help them.

Here are some tips to help you help someone with elderly anxiety:

1. Check in with your physician. Make sure they get the right treatment that they need and that any medication will not have any adverse reactions to their conditions or to the current medications they are taking.
2. Have them checked for Alzheimer’s or dementia as well. Take the guesswork out of the equation, as it’s also common for anxiety to be present on someone developing the aforementioned diseases.
3. Allow your elderly loved ones time to socialize. Check with your community for events that your elderly parent can join in.
4. Take them on a local outing. Nothing beats isolation than spending precious time with family. Plan a weekend holiday and make sure  that the location and activities are adequate for the elderly.
5. If they leave far away, visit them regularly. If they have friends they haven’t met in a while, have them come over. Or better yet, use technology to connect with those who are away.
6. Check out facilities such as Blessed Home to help you with caring for your elderly loved ones with elderly anxiety.

As for you, who may be caring for someone with anxiety, here’s how you can cope:

1. Take care of your own health. Watch out for your needs as well and make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating right, and getting the support you need.
2. Watch out for signs of stress. Make time to wind down or do something you like doing for yourself.
3. Forgive yourself. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You may even feel burned out at times. These are normal, but know when to let go and seek help.

Should you need a place for your elderly loved ones or parents to stay, Blessed Home provides long-term and short-term programs for nursing home, adult daycare, and assisted living services.