Everyone feels anxious now and then, but if your aging loved one is struggling from extreme worry, fear or distress that lasts for longer than a few weeks, they could have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is the persistent and invasive feeling of nervousness and fear that interferes with a person’s daily activities. Anyone who looks after an elderly loved one should spend some time researching the symptoms and treatment for anxiety disorder, so they can recognize when a person needs help.

 

While much of anxiety has to do with genetics, there is a lot of research that shows significant life changes can lead to anxiety of all types. Among the most common are declining health, loss of independence, loss of a close loved one, fear of financial strain, and contemplating mortality can all have a dire effect.

 

Family caregivers and elderly care providers should be on the lookout for the obvious symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal distress, lack of focus, irritability, rapid heartbeat and long bouts of worry are the most common in aging adults. The senior must see a doctor if these symptoms don’t fade away after several weeks. Anxiety is a normal part of the ups and downs of life, but an anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that can cause plenty of distress for family caregivers and seniors.

 

Too many family caregivers mistake the common symptoms of anxiety with other age-related health issues, and simply don’t recognize it for what it might be—a mental health issue that require professional help to overcome. The longer the condition goes without treatment, the more it can impact an aging adult’s functioning.

 

When an elderly adult goes to the doctor for anxiety symptoms, the doctor may prescribe medication.  This medication controls the ways the disorder impacts the brain. The doctor will also refer to a therapist for the aging adult. With help, the senior can get a better idea of what type of anxiety they are dealing with. Common types of anxiety include panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, or general anxiety.

 

Family caregivers can do a lot to help their aging adults who have been diagnosed with some kind of panic disorder. First, they should eat a healthy diet with plenty of nutritious meals and snacks. Second, exercise is essential for dealing with anxiety because it helps regulate hormones in the body, including those that bring anxiety down. Third, family caregivers should reduce stress on their aging loved one by hiring an elderly care provider. The elderly care provider can take over key roles in daily tasks like laundry, housekeeping, meal preparation, and more. Elderly caregivers can really do a lot to alleviate the burdens of anxiety and allow the aging adult the time and resources to overcome the mental disorder.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care in Katy, TX, contact the caring staff at Personal Caregiving Services at 832-564-0338. Providing Care in Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, Katy, and Sugar Land and the surrounding areas