Anxiety doesn't just affect the young. It's a significant concern among older adults, affecting as much as 10-20% of the population, though it often goes underdiagnosed, according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
This is why loved ones may play a crucial role in identifying the signs of anxiety in aging loved ones and providing family caregiver support. Understanding the unique ways anxiety shows up in seniors is the first step toward ensuring they get the help they need.
This article explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for anxiety in older adults, along with practical tips for families who want to improve senior emotional wellness in Morristown, TN (located 49 miles from Knoxville, TN).
As people age, they face a range of life changes that can increase emotional stress. Common triggers for anxiety in older adults include:
Unlike younger people, older adults may not recognize or express their anxiety clearly. They may attribute feelings of anxiety, making it harder for them or their loved ones to seek help.
Understanding the different forms of anxiety can help families recognize what's happening. Common anxiety disorders in older adults (assisted living behavioral signs) include:
This involves chronic, excessive worry about everyday issues such as health, finances, or family. Seniors with GAD may feel tense and restless much of the time.
This includes sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or dizziness. These attacks may feel like a heart problem, leading to frequent ER visits.
Older adults may develop irrational fears, such as fear of falling, driving, or going outside. These limit their independence and social engagement.
This involves fear or avoidance of social interactions. These can worsen feelings of isolation and depression.
Past traumas, even from decades earlier, can resurface later in life. This is especially true after loss or illness.
In seniors, anxiety often presents through physical symptoms, making it easy to miss the underlying emotional cause. Watch for these symptoms in aging and anxiety:
Unlike younger adults, seniors may be less likely to talk about feeling "anxious" and more likely to describe vague complaints like "I just don't feel right."
Stress and aging can be tied to other health concerns:
In some cases, anxiety can mimic the symptoms of other conditions -- such as dementia or medication side effects -- making it essential to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider.
Family support is one of the most important factors in managing anxiety in seniors. Here's how you can help:
Be observant of both behavioral and physical symptoms.
Is your loved one withdrawing, avoiding social events, or constantly worried? Are they visiting the doctor more often without a clear diagnosis? These may be signs of anxiety.
Older adults may feel embarrassed or hesitant to talk about their mental health. Start gentle conversations by asking questions like:
Avoid dismissing their concerns or saying things like "You're just overthinking." Listen with patience and empathy.
Anxiety is treatable, but professional support is often necessary. Encourage your loved one to speak to their primary care doctor or a mental health specialist. Offer to go with them to appointments if needed.
Some medications may cause or exacerbate anxiety. Work with a doctor or pharmacist to review prescriptions and check for side effects or interactions.
Routines offer comfort and stability. Encourage a daily schedule that includes light exercise, social time, healthy meals, and sleep hygiene.
There are multiple effective treatments for anxiety in older adults. These include:
CBT is highly effective in helping seniors manage anxious thoughts and change behavior patterns. It's typically short-term and goal-oriented.
Anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants may be prescribed. However, older adults may be more sensitive to side effects, so these should be used cautiously and under close medical supervision.
Activities like deep breathing, meditation, gentle yoga, or tai chi can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Simple belly breathing can be done anywhere and is easy enough for beginners to try.
Peer support at a senior living community can help seniors realize they are not alone. Some communities offer mental health groups specifically for older adults.
Encouraging a balanced diet, hydration, regular sleep, and physical activity can have a noticeable impact on anxiety levels. The basics always matter.
Anxiety in older adults is real, common, and treatable, but it requires awareness and compassionate action. At TerraBella Morristown, we offer individualized care plans to all of our residents so they can relax both in body and mind. With full-time professional care available 24/7, our staff work hard to ensure residents are happy, healthy, and engaged.
Schedule a tour of our community, and you will feel the difference for yourself.