Anxiety is a common thing that older Americans experience. Some reports estimate between 10 and 20% of seniors have generalized anxiety. This number could be even higher, as many often deny having psychological issues when asked by their doctors, focusing more on the physical symptoms anxiety can cause.

In a recent article, Hany Abdelaal, President of VNSNY Choice Health Plans, describes late-life anxiety this way. “It’s a pattern familiar to many of us with aging parents: the overwhelming worry or constant nervousness over day-to-day tasks, from taking medications to parking the car. Left untreated, this anxiety-related agitation in the elderly can disrupt sleep and eating, exacerbate chronic medical conditions, and ultimately contribute to a downward spiral of fear and isolation.”

As his article explains, older adults may have anxiety or worry about physical health (illness, changes in vision or hearing), cognitive difficulties, finances, and changes in life status (widowhood, care-giving responsibilities, retirement). They may feel anxious about keeping medications straight (sometimes to the point of giving up and stopping them altogether), not having enough groceries in the house, driving, and falling.

Anxiety is often accompanied by symptoms that mimic physical illness and may include muscle tension or pain, GI symptoms, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. Symptoms can also include sleeplessness, an inability to concentrate, irritability, and lack of focus. As a result, complaints are often more about these physical symptoms than the anxiety causing them.

The good news is that anxiety can be treated. Stress can be reduced with social support, communication, education and, if needed, counseling and medication.

Social Support: When there is no one around to provide support or an alternate point of view, anxiety can cause irrational fears to grow. It’s critical to have a support system of family, friends and neighbors who can provide social contact by telephone, email and personal visits. Religious organizations can provide community and a place to visit regularly; most have visitation for those who are homebound. Senior centers can also provide social support.

Communication and Education: Living with chronic medical conditions and managing multiple medications can often trigger anxiety in elderly people, especially if they do not fully understand their situation. Medications should be routinely evaluated and, if possible, reduced. Patients need to understand what they are taking and why, what the desired effect is, and possible side effects. A caregiver or family member should accompany an older person to each doctor’s visit, prepared to ask questions and take notes. A family member can also “join” the appointment via Facetime or speaker phone. Upon request, the doctor’s office can provide a written care plan and prescribed medications at the end of each appointment.

Counseling and Medication: Many anxiety sufferers can benefit from psychological counseling in which they learn to reframe thoughts and behaviors, and challenge their irrational fears. Stress management techniques may be helpful. There are also a number of medications that can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Before adding another medication to what may be an already stressful multi-drug program, a doctor should fully evaluate the patient’s overall situation, reducing or streamlining medications where possible. That said, the addition of one of these medications can make a major difference in the life and outlook of an older person suffering from anxiety.

If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Please contact our Cincinnati office by calling us at 513-771-2444 with any questions.

Exercise provides many health benefits for people of all ages. The benefits from eating healthy and having a proper exercise routine are also well-established. However, only recently has research been conducted about which type of exercise best counters the aging process in senior citizens. A new study published in Cell Metabolism by researchers from the Mayo Clinic suggests the answer may be high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT alternates short bursts of intense aerobic activity such as biking or walking with short periods of easing up on the same activity. This type of exercise method avoids the risk of injuries associated with non-stop, repetitive activity. Compared to other types of exercise, it appears to be dramatically more effective at boosting the activity of aging cells and even reversing age-related cellular damage. This exercise also led to improved insulin sensitivity, which is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes.

Most experts agree that many older adults can participate in an age-appropriate high-intensity interval training program that takes into account their physical limitations. Older adults are more likely to have an underlying health issue such as osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension or a history heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. So, it’s essential to consult with a primary care provider and take a cardio-stress test before beginning a new exercise program, especially one that involves vigorous activity.

Of course, there are other things to keep in mind before starting an HIIT regimen.

• Slower recovery: As we get older, our ability to recover from workouts is a lot slower. If you put your body through too much, without careful consideration of the ability to recover, you may end up doing more damage.
• More general aches and pain: With age comes more wisdom but also more aches and pain–such is a sad fact of life.
• Make sure you’re cleared by your doctor.
• Warm-ups are important no matter who you are, but this is especially true with an older population. You need to get the muscles, joints, and heart prepared for the workout that you are about to do.
• There is nothing wrong with a rest period. You are not going to be able to train as hard as a younger person. Rest when you need to.
• It’s always better to start too easy than to go too hard and face the consequences. You can always up the intensity, but you cannot easily undo a muscle strain.
• Use common sense. If something hurts or makes you feel uncomfortable, simply don’t do it.
• Most importantly, consult a professional personal trainer to get you on the right track.

With a properly established exercise program you may be able to extend your life-span and feel better while living that life. Keeping yourself active both physically and socially may help you prolong your life expectancy and allow you to have a more productive life.

If you’d like to discuss your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Please contact our Cincinnati office by calling us at 513-771-2444 with any questions.