Anxiety is a common yet serious issue among American senior populations, affecting somewhere between 10-20% of all older adults, according to the National Council on Aging.
It can result from a diverse set of circumstances. Many seniors feel anxious about the simple fact of aging and mortality. It also crops up alongside health problems, financial stress, and social isolation, in addition to the challenges of aging.
The symptoms of anxiety in older adults include excessive worry, restlessness, and sleep disturbances. It can also have physical symptoms, like rapid heartbeat and headaches, that significantly lower seniors’ quality of life. This can lead to feelings of depression and even cognitive decline over time.
One of the best ways to combat anxiety is to create calm surroundings. By having a peaceful environment, an anxious senior can reduce triggers and foster a sense of comfort.
In today’s post, we’ll give you some tips for managing anxiety in seniors. Specifically, we’ll tell you how to create a calm environment for elderly people, so keep reading and learn about the role space can play in reducing stress in older adults.
Use Soothing Colors
The correlation between color and mental health has been a field of study for a long time. Colors have a profound impact on mood. Vibrant colors, like reds, oranges, and yellows tend to boost energy, which can be detrimental during anxious periods.
Neutral tones, like blues and deep greens, are better for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. A good way to think about it is that subtler shades create subtler moods that make one feel peaceful and less anxious.
Reduce Clutter
It’s easy for anxious seniors to feel overwhelmed when they’ve got a cluttered living area. If your loved one’s room is full of trinkets or they’ve got their things strewn about, they’re more likely to feel that way. Our spaces tend to reflect our mood.
Keep living spaces organized and clutter-free by minimizing unnecessary items. Downsizing is a huge part of the move into a senior living community. Use it as a chance to get rid of the things that your loved one doesn’t really need, and create a simple, stress-free environment.
If they’re finding it difficult to fully downsize, use storage solutions – baskets, shelves, cubbies, etc. – to keep things out of sight. This can help them maintain a focused and relaxed atmosphere.
Incorporate Soft Lighting
Bright, harsh lighting can trigger anxiety. Instead, use soft, warm lighting such as table lamps, floor lamps, or dimmable ceiling lights to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Natural light is also beneficial during the day, so ensure windows are unobstructed and allow the sunlight in. Not only will this give your loved one a sense of calm, but it’ll ensure they’re getting their vitamin D.
Add Comfortable Furniture
When a senior is comfortable, it’s so much easier to be calm. Fill their space with comfortable, supportive furniture, whether it’s an ergonomic chair or soft floor cushions to lay on. These things ease them into a relaxed state and provide a way to deal with anxiety when it crops up.
Ensuring seating is comfortable is also a way for seniors to ensure they’re looking after their bodies. If they’ve only got hard, uncomfortable seats, they’ll end up in pain in addition to being anxious.
Create a Quiet Zone
We’ve all been in chaotic, noisy environments, and it doesn’t do much good for our mental health. If they’re already in an anxious state, added noise will just cause your loved one’s mind to become even more chaotic.
Designate a quiet area in the home or apartment where they can retreat to escape noise and distractions. This can be a cozy corner with a chair, soft blankets, dim lights, and soothing sounds like nature or gentle music.
This is an area where they’ll be able to sit and meditate or read a book. Calming activities in a quiet area are a great way to quell anxious feelings.
Enjoy a Biophilic Space
The effect of houseplants on our mental health has been well-documented over the past few years. A recent study showed the difference in participants’ blood pressure after using a computer versus interacting with a house plant. After working with the plants, their blood pressure dropped.
As such, bringing nature indoors can significantly reduce anxiety. Consider adding plants, flowers, or even a small indoor garden to your loved one’s living space. Choose low-maintenance plants like succulents or peace lilies that don’t require much of them, but can create a biophilic environment in their room.
Maintain a Routine
Routine helps seniors feel grounded and secure, minimizing anxiety. Keeping a consistent daily schedule for meals, exercise, and activities can reduce feelings of unpredictability. Ensure the environment is structured with clear, easy-to-follow plans to promote calm and stability.
Fortunately, this is a common feature of senior communities. Your loved one will have staff available 24/7 to help them with whatever they need. Over time, they’ll start to get used to the community’s schedule and routine, which will act as a calming force in their life.
Introduce Calming Scents
Aromatherapy has long been a powerful tool in creating peace for seniors and providing a sense of relaxation. Use essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus in diffusers around your loved one’s room will inject it with calming scents that help them slow down.
If you’re trying to create a calming atmosphere, you have to account for all of the senses. Strong, abrasive fragrances can have the opposite effect. If essential oils aren’t to your loved one’s liking, they can also try burning incense, which has been in practice for millennia.
How Communities Help Manage Anxiety in Older Adults
These senior anxiety solutions will help you help manage anxiety in older adults. If your loved one has recently had an uptick in anxious feelings, a senior living community is the perfect situation for them.
Although the transition into senior care can be tricky, they’ll find a sense of calm over time that benefits them greatly. For the perfect community in Oklahoma City, Morada Lake Hefner is the best choice.
We offer a calming environment with plenty of amenities and activities to boost your loved one’s mental health and wellness. Contact us today to book a tour and see it for yourself.
