14 Feb Tips to help older people overcome anxiety

Depression can affect anyone of any age, but as people age, they can become more susceptible to feeling down. We look at ways that friends and family can help older people overcome anxiety.

As we get older, our lives naturally change – and many of these changes are ones that people welcome with open arms. Many older people can’t wait to retire and do all the travelling they’ve dreamed of, or spend their afternoons reading all the books they’ve piled up in the spare room.

Grandkids, outings, long walks, fishing… there can be plenty of reasons for people to celebrate their golden years.

Sometimes, however, life has other ideas. Maybe the bank balance won’t quite stretch to an annual cruise, or the grandkids might end up living at the other end of the country or beyond. And even finishing work is sometimes not the boon many have imagined, as they find they suddenly have an awful lot of time on their hands.

For many people, this period of adjustment goes swimmingly, but sometimes, it can leave people feeling fed up and in need of a little help to rediscover their ‘joie de vivre’.

Spotting the signs of low mood

Older people may get out of the house less than they did when they were working everyday and, if they can’t drive or find walking more arduous, it can become difficult for them to keep up with friends and family. This can be the start of a slippery slope into depression as the less they see of friends, the more depressed they could become and the less likely it is that anyone will pick up on signs of low mood.

The problem is compounded if they put on a brave face when they see friends and family. Your mum, dad or auntie may well feel sad, but could be reluctant to ‘burden’ you with whatever is on their mind.

If you suspect a friend or relative has a dose of the blues, keep an eye on their appearance and appetite. Make sure they’re interested and engaged in the things they’ve always enjoyed doing. If they’re down, they might not focus or sleep well, and they may lose interest in looking after their house or their personal appearance.

Helping older people overcome anxiety

Many older people will have been brought up to “grin and bear it”, or “snap out of it” if they are feeling depressed, and they might not want you to know they’re struggling. Sometimes it’s difficult for people to open up to a younger person, particularly if they’re related. After all, mums and dads have spent decades putting on a brave face in front of the kids – and they’ve got it down to a fine art by the time they’re in their 60s or 70s.

There are lots of things you can do to help your friend or family member out of the dumps and it’s best to act straight away before low mood becomes depression – but you do need to approach the problem sensitively:

• Boost vitamin D by helping them to get enough sunlight to help overcome anxiety. Many people are more prone to low mood in winter due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you notice that an older person is not going out much over the winter months, it could be both a symptom and a cause of low mood. A study on geriatric psychology in the US found that a lack of Vitamin D – gained from sunlight and being out of doors – may cause low mood in older people; so a stroll in the park could be just what they need to start to feel better.

• Ask them if they’re coping and keeping busy, or if they’re feeling frustrated and fed up with their lifestyle. They might not be as flush as they once were, too, so you may be able to help with small expenses to help get them out and about.

• Check whether medical problems are weighing on their minds. Getting older generally means getting creakier and they’ll probably be poked and prodded by doctors more often than they used to be. See if a trip to the doctor can put their mind at rest or help them to face a problem head on.

• Help them keep up with friends. This can become more difficult for people as they age as old friends move away, buy a property overseas or spend their weekends with the grandkids. Unfortunately, it’s the time of life when old friends may start to pass away too, so it’s important to keep up with friends who are still around to prevent people feeling isolated.

Often, low mood can be lifted with a simple change or treat. Cook them a meal or pop in with a box of chocolates or a magazine. If you can’t get to see them in person, a quick lesson in how to use Facebook or Skype might help them keep in touch and lift their spirits.

A traditional herbal medicine could also be helpful to help an older person overcome anxiety. HRI Good Mood is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of slightly low mood and mild anxiety based on traditional use. Two tablets provide the strongest daily dose on the UK market.
Further Help

Low mood doesn’t have to develop into depression. There are lots of ways to ensure your older relative is engaged with life and having their fair share of good days.

If you suspect that low mood is developing into a more serious mental health problem, you can contact Age UK. Older people who are lonely or would like help the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) provide many services