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Author: Ketan Shah

Anxiety is a big problem for aging adults. There are lots of reasons why seniors tend to feel more anxious, even as a side effect from medications, but what’s really important is to find ways to alleviate that anxiety. Companion care at home is one type of solution that families might consider as a way to offer more support to the seniors they love.

Encourage Socialization

One of the reasons that companion care at home is so effective for anxious seniors is that socialization does so much good for mental health. Having regular visits from companion caregivers allows seniors to have someone to talk to, play games with, and generally engage in activities together. This is especially helpful for seniors who live far away from family and friends.

Establish Solid Routines

It can be anxiety-inducing for seniors to no longer have solid daily routines. This happens quite often after someone retires or has a big lifestyle change. Routines offer a sense of stability and predictability, which is incredibly important for aging adults. Home care providers can help seniors learn what they need and want in their routines, and then help them to fine tune those routines.

Encourage Physical Activity

When seniors get even a little bit more exercise on a daily basis, that can help them to reduce anxiety. Taking a daily walk, including light stretches, or taking exercise classes can all be good ways for seniors to move more. It’s always important to talk with doctors before moving more, just in case there are limitations that seniors should follow.

Make the Environment Comfortable

Having a comfortable environment can also greatly reduce anxiety for seniors. Decluttering reduces visual overstimulation that can lead to anxiety, for instance. Decluttering and rearranging furniture can also help to reduce anxiety related to fall risk factors. Making the environment safer and more comfortable at home helps seniors to feel more confident and less anxious overall.

Make Hobbies and Interests Easy to Pursue

The easier it is for seniors to do the things they love doing, the more often they’ll be able to do them. This is another area where companion care at home can be a lot of help. Companion caregivers aren’t there to handle things like household tasks, but they can help seniors to engage in the activities they love more easily.

Consider Mindfulness

Some people who experience anxiety benefit from mindfulness activities like breathwork, meditation, and related activities. It’s important to remember that these activities aren’t effective for everyone and don’t necessarily reduce anxiety for everyone who tries them. But they can be worth a try.

Ensure Proper Nutrition

When seniors are eating healthy meals on a regular basis, their bodies tend to feel calmer and happier overall. Drinking the right amount of water and eating foods that they enjoy also are factors that improve overall well-being. If it’s more difficult for aging adults to take care of these chores alone, elder care providers can offer hands-on help.

Reducing anxiety for seniors involves trying a variety of different solutions to see what helps the most. Companion care at home can offer emotional support and socialization that help seniors figure out what else might help them.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING COMPANION CARE AT HOME IN LOS ALTOS, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969