How You Can Help Decrease Anxiety In Aging Loved Ones


i-homecare
Nobody worries about something they think they can fix. If a 25-year-old sprains an ankle, she’ll say not to worry about it, since she’ll heal quickly and fully. The rich man doesn’t worry when he misplaces $50. We worry when there are things out of our control, that we don’t think we have the time or the means to handle. That’s why many of our aging relatives can seem to focus on fears and anxieties. Normal fears that impact people at every age are heightened, and they are joined by new age-specific ones.  For those of us who care about and for them, these worries can seem overwhelming. They don’t need to be. Helping an aging relative deal rationally with fears that are both rational and not is one of the best things you can do for them.

Help Ease The Major Fears Of Aging Loved Ones

Money

Okay, so the top worry of older adults probably won’t come as a shocker. It’s money, the thing that has many of us tossing and turning at night. Many of our older relatives are on fixed incomes—retirement, pension, social security, and savings, and even if they have a lot, unexpected medical and care expenses, including the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, can throw the best-laid plans into ruin. People who never seemed to worry about money might start staying up late imagining problems, and being afraid there won’t be time to make it right.
If your loved one is worrying about finances, there are a few things you can do. One is to really take a full and comprehensive look at assets, expected revenue, and expected expenses. This can help set their mind at ease, and can prepare a reasonable budget with money laid aside for the unexpected if need be. It’s even good if your exploration reveals shortfalls, because you can now start to plan a solution. Having everything laid out is the best way to ease worries.

Health

The 25-year-old ankle turner doesn’t worry, but for those of us getting older, each new ache and pain lasts longer, and could be a sign of something new and maybe worse. At least, that’s how many people see it. It is an understandable reaction to the natural process of aging, but the stress worrying about health causes makes things even worse. Again, it is a matter of information. The fear of something you know, even something bad, is nothing compared to what imagination and the dark can conjure up.
While middle-aged folks may wonder whether they’ll be able to function while coping with a disease or condition, the concerns of older adults tend to focus on end-of-life care. Will they be taken care of when they can no longer look after themselves? Will there be a great deal of pain and suffering at the end? Will their passing be one filled with dignity, or helpless dependence on others? Issues like this can be addressed with preventative health care as well as end-of-life planning (writing living wills and advanced directives, appointing healthcare proxies, et cetera).

Living environment

When it comes to your living environment, you may worry about how you’re going to make rent or mortgage payments, move to the house of your dreams, or even how to downsize during retirement. However, older adults typically have one main concern on their mind when it comes to housing: will they be able to stay in their own homes? If so, for how long? This matters more than you might think: it is a matter of dignity, or independence, and of their sense of self. Being able to have a healthy and comfortable living environment that is familiar, that is home, really matters.
However, there may be resources for older adults right in your own community that you’re not even aware of. They can be worth exploring if your loved one needs help with things like self-care, transportation, medication pickup, light housekeeping, cooking, and similar tasks.

Decrease anxiety by taking decisive action

The most important thing you can do to decrease anxiety in your loved one is take firm, decisive action. This doesn’t mean you have to tackle all their major worries at once. Instead, it’s about taking concrete steps (small at first, if necessary) to alleviate their concerns.
Schedule an appointment with a financial planner or attorney to get their monetary or legal affairs in order. Have them get a checkup from their doctor to ensure their health is maintained, and any pain they have is managed. Call a home health agency and begin discussing affordable options for home care so that your loved one can remain in the house they love. Whatever you do, don’t let worries sit and fester—face them with your loved one together.
If you are unsure of how to best help an aging loved one, the trained and compassionate staff at the Institute on Aging is here to help you make that decision and gain the best in at-home care for older adults. Contact us to find out more.

Institute on Aging

Institute on Aging

Related Posts

Questions?

Give our dedicated Client Service Specialists a call. We are ready to help.

Follow Us

As we approach the end of #SocialWorkMonth, Institute on Aging would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible work being done by all of our Community Living Fund and HomeSafe social workers.

These dedicated professionals have shown unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to clients and building strong, vibrant communities. We are consistently impressed by the passion and expertise they bring to their work and their ability to connect with clients in meaningful ways. Our CLF and HomeSafe social workers have risen to this challenge time and time again, going above and beyond to support the individuals and families they serve.

At Institute on Aging, we are grateful every day for our social work teams' hard work and dedication. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to these outstanding professionals for all they do to make a difference in our clients' and communities' lives. You truly embody the spirit of social work, and we are honored to have you as part of our team.

#ThankYou #SocialWork #Appreciation #SocialWorkers #Gratitude #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Sophia became a part of the Community Living Fund team in December 2022, joining at a critical time when additional coverage was required for certain cases. Additionally, CLF was in the process of introducing a new assessment and implementing CalAim services for San Francisco members.

Sophia has been an essential contributor to these ongoing initiatives while effectively managing a caseload of Intensive Case Management (ICM) clients. We were thrilled to receive positive feedback about her support for the TRCS program, which demonstrates her dedication to the agency's mission. CLF is grateful to have a Case Manager like Sophia, who is passionate about serving San Francisco's vulnerable population.

#SocialWorkMonth #WeAppreciateyou #ThankYou #SupportatHome #CaseManager #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

#SocialWorkMonth #WeAppreciateyou #ThankYou #SupportatHome #CaseManager #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio! 

#DementiaCare #EnrichmentCenter #AdultDayProgram #CaregiverSupport #Presidio #Dementia #Memory #Caregiver