What Seniors And Families Should Know about Anxiety Screenings

Recently the medical community has been very focused on anxiety. Across the country more and more people have been suffering from anxiety due to Covid-19 concerns and other issues. Medical professionals are now recommending anxiety screenings for all adults under the age of 65. But seniors who are over the age of 65 need anxiety screenings too. 

Anxiety affects more than one in ten seniors. Seniors may be less likely than other age groups to report the symptoms of anxiety because they may not feel comfortable with counseling or taking medications that can help their anxiety. But when seniors are worrying excessively or are fighting off panic attacks they may need help.  It’s important for family members to watch for signs of anxiety in a senior loved one. 

If you can’t be with your senior loved one daily companion care at home can ensure that your senior loved one isn’t alone all the time. And with companion care at home someone will be there to take note of any signs of anxiety that your senior loved one has. If you suspect that your senior parent may be struggling with anxiety you should know that:

Anxiety Screenings Are A Good Idea

Companion Care at Home in Glenwood, MN: Anxiety Screenings

Even though medical professionals have not come out and said that all seniors should be screened for anxiety getting your senior parent screened for anxiety is a good idea if you noticed that they are showing signs of anxiety. As seniors get older adding an anxiety screening to their other medical screenings and tests that are done yearly is a smart way to address any anxiety issues your senior parent may be having. 

Anxiety Screenings Don’t Require a Specialist

In order to treat anxiety your senior loved one may need to see a specialist but they can get a general anxiety screening at their primary care doctor. The doctor will ask them some questions and may have them fill out a generalized anxiety symptom list to determine if they are have an anxiety disorder. If they do have an anxiety disorder then the primary care doctor will refer them to a specialist that can help them. 

Medication Can Help

Counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help seniors who have anxiety. But medication can also take the edge off of the symptoms of anxiety. If your senior loved one is really struggling with their symptoms medication might provide immediate relief of some of the worst anxiety symptoms. 

Managing Anxiety At Home Is Possible 

Even if your senior parent does get put on medication for their anxiety there are lifestyle changes that can help seniors manage anxiety. Regular exercise, better sleep, and a health diet can all help seniors manage their anxiety and keep it from getting out of control. Even though changing their lifestyles might be tough seniors can get a lot of benefits from changing their habits. Having less anxiety is just one of the best changes that comes from keeping a healthy lifestyle. 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Companion Care at Home in Glenwood, MN please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350

Sources:

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/anxiety-in-older-adults

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/anxiety-disorder-test.html?intcmp=AE-HP-TTN-R2-POS3-REALPOSS-TODAY