One of the most distressing emotions that seniors are prone to is anxiety. Although you may think they don’t have much to worry about, there are many situations that aging people face which can cause stress -loss of spouse, health, financial worries. In 2020, stress seems to be an everyday reality, as even more anxiety and isolation have raised the emotion to unprecedented levels. Stress can result in further health concerns and medical issues if not addressed correctly. In order to help with managing stress, experts recommend the following tips.

assisted living allow pets

 Managing Stress in Senior Citizens

Here are five great tips to assist the senior citizen in your life to manage their anxieties and live an abundant, productive life.

  1. Write Things Down: Ask your family member to place a pad of paper next to their favorite chair, and to write down anything they want to remember – something they need from the grocery store, important phone numbers, or the last time they took their medication, for instance.  By reinforcing  the habit of writing things down, as well as reading over the list several times throughout the day,   they can eliminate the stress of  “forgetting something”. A large print desk calendar is a great way to to keep track of scheduled appointments, birthdays, or expected visitors.
  2. Listen to Music, Read or Meditate: The brain is amazing, allowing individuals to replace anxious thoughts with productive ones – simply by shifting focus. Reading inspirational stories has been proven highly effective at managing stress, as can listening to a favorite musical score or learning meditation.  These positive types of activities are known to lower blood pressure and help in establishing a sense of well-being. You can help your elderly family member  by providing large print or audio books, or pre-program their favorite music station on a mobile device. Whenever possible, share these experiences with them. Sit with them, hold their hand. help them to relax and enjoy the experience. Another great tip for managing stress is to engage them in conversation regarding gratitude and what they are thankful for. These types of conversations are known to lower anxiety significantly.
  3. Play with an Animal: If your elderly loved one lives in their own home (or lives with you) consider adopting a pet. Animals, especially small lap dogs and cats, are known to greatly reduce stress in people in general, but are miracle workers for elderly people with high blood pressure and anxiety issues. With so many cats and dogs in local shelters who need good homes, this solution is beneficial for the senior and the animal. If your loved one is in an assisted living facility, ask about their policies for pets, or any therapy animal programs .
  4. Enjoy Nature: If safe and appropriate, encourage your loved one to go outside, take a walk  and enjoy the great outdoors. If they are able to walk, take them for a stroll. If they can’t comfortably take a walk with you, utilize a wheelchair to bring them to a beautiful and peaceful spot. Take them to the beach for a sunset, or explore the grounds of their adult living residence. A change of scenery and being in the fresh air is one of the key elements of managing stress.
  5.  Change Things Up: Find small but creative ways to change-up your loved ones routine – whether  sharing lunch at an outside table, going to a local museum, or even just walking through an outdoor shopping mall. By giving your loved one something  to look forward to, especially with someone they love,  emotions like loss, loneliness and anxiety can be greatly minimized.

At A Banyan Residence, we know that your elderly loved one deserves to live a complete and fulfilling  life, even if their personal circumstances have changed. We provide an engaging community and experienced staff to provide our residents a sense of security and family. We invite you to tour our adult residence facility in the Villages – call us today to set up a tour.