Moving is a significant change in life that can trigger overwhelming emotions, especially for elderly people. This can have a major impact on their daily life.
Understanding anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, is critical in providing emotional support to your loved one during a move. Recognizing the signs of anxiety, including excessive worry and fear, can help you identify when your loved one needs support.
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Moving
All anxiety disorders can significantly affect a person’s quality of life during a move. Geriatric anxiety disorders are common among older adults, and they’re often triggered by the stress of changes in social interactions and relocations.
A comprehensive approach to managing the anxiety during a move — including therapy and medication, if necessary — are often suggested by clinical practices. Sometimes, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors will be prescribed to help your loved one manage their anxiety related to moving stress.
There are also at-home therapies they can follow, including relaxation and breathing techniques, that can aid in managing their anxiety symptoms.
Geriatric Anxiety
Geriatric anxiety is a major concern among older adults, many of whom experience common symptoms of anxiety such as excessive worry or fear. Older adults might be more susceptible to being anxious because of social isolation, chronic illness and cognitive decline.
Just like it can for people of other ages, anxiety can have a negative impact on the daily lives of older adults, affecting their social interactions and routine activities.
The most effective way to provide support to your loved ones is to first recognize the common signs of anxiety. By providing a supportive environment, you can help them alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety of Moving Houses for Senior Citizens
Moving is a common trigger for anxiety in senior citizens, who can feel intense fear and helplessness because of the relocation. The transition to a new environment can exacerbate existing anxiety disorders, or can trigger anxiety all by itself.
In older adults, some physical symptoms of anxiety include heart palpitations, a racing heart and even chest pains. These physical symptoms can come as a result of the emotional toll that leaving their familiar home can have on them.
Clinical practices often recommend taking a comprehensive approach to managing geriatric anxiety disorders, including medication and therapies. Loved ones can play a vital support role, helping to alleviate anxiety and provide comfort during the move.
It’s essential to understand the potential negative impact of moving on your loved one’s mental health so that you can offer the necessary support and reassurance.
Trust Caring Transitions to Handle Your Loved One’s Move
A great way to help relieve your loved one’s stress and anxiety is by hiring an experienced senior relocation specialist to handle their move.
At Caring Transitions, we have years of experience managing the relocation process for older adults. We can manage every aspect of the move, from packing, moving and unpacking at their new home.
For more information, please contact us today.