Top Tips for Reducing Elderly Anxiety at NightTrying to reduce elderly anxiety at night for a loved one? Read our top tips for the best ways to minimize elderly anxiety at night and improve their sleep quality.Alt Text: An Elderly Man Reminiscing (Image Source)Do you have an elderly loved one who experiences anxiety at night? Unfortunately, anxiety can become more common and impactful as we age, causing sleep disturbances and other issues. However, there are strategies that caregivers can use to help reduce anxiety in the elderly at night. This article will discuss tips for reducing elderly anxiety at night, including creating a relaxing environment, engaging in relaxation techniques, and utilizing innovative technologies. Read on to learn about assisting your senior family member in coping with their anxiety at night and improving their sleep quality.Related: Three Things to Consider When Taking Care of Your ParentsUnderstanding Elderly Anxiety at NightTo fully grasp nighttime anxiety in older adults, we must examine its causes and symptoms.The Causes of Anxiety in the Elderly at NightThere are various causes of anxiety in the elderly at night, some of which include:Health Concerns - Older adults may have concerns about their health, chronic illnesses, pain, and other age-related issues that can cause anxiety and worry at night.Loss of Independence - Aging can cause a loss of independence, which can be emotionally distressing and lead to anxiety.Fear of Falling - Older adults are at an increased risk of falling, which can cause anxiety and fear, especially at night when it is dark, and visibility is low.Loneliness and Isolation - Many older adults live alone, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. These feelings can heighten at night with less social interaction and distractions.Financial Concerns - Older adults may worry about their financial stability, especially if they are retired and living on a fixed income.Medications - Certain medications can cause side effects such as insomnia, nightmares, and anxiety, which can be more pronounced at night.Cognitive Decline - As people age, Alzhermers, dementia, and cognitive decline can occur, which can cause confusion, disorientation, and anxiety at night.Past Traumatic Experiences - Older adults may have experienced traumatic events in their past, such as war, abuse, or loss of loved ones, which can cause anxiety and flashbacks at night.Click Here to see how teleCalm can stop late night calls!Identifying Anxiety Symptoms in Older AdultsAnxiety symptoms can manifest differently in older adults compared to younger individuals. Some common symptoms of anxiety in the elderly include:Excessive Worrying - Elderly individuals may excessively fret over health, finances, and various life aspects.Physical Symptoms - Anxiety may induce symptoms like increased heart rate, perspiration, trembling, and shortness of breath.Sleep Disturbances - Seniors with anxiety might struggle with falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or awakening too early.Irritability and Restlessness - Anxiety can lead to feelings of irritability, agitation, and restlessness in older adults.Avoidance Tendencies- Some seniors with anxiety might evade situations that exacerbate their anxious feelings, such as social gatherings or leaving the house.Memory Challenges - Anxiety can impact memory and focus, posing concerns for elderly individuals experiencing cognitive decline to some extent.Physical Complaints - Anxiety can cause physical complaints such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and muscle tension.Late-Night and Repeated Calling - It is important to note that according to WebMD, these symptoms can also indicate other medical conditions, and a proper evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary to determine the underlying cause.Top Tips for Reducing Elderly Anxiety at NightHere are some tips that can help reduce elderly anxiety at night:1 Using teleCalm's Repeat Dialing FeatureWith just a few simple steps, you can customize your preferences in the teleCalm Caregiver App to stop compulsive and repeated calls.Features of teleCalm's Repeat Dialing include:Customizable Settings: Choose the number of calls (2-5 times) and the specified period of time (15-60 minutes) before repeat dialing is activated.NotificationsGentle Messages to Your Loved OneNo Additional CostAlt Text: An Elderly Woman In Her Room (Image Source)2. Using teleCalm's Quiet Hours FeatureThe teleCalm's Quiet Hours feature can block incoming and outgoing calls during specific times. Here's how the Quiet Hours feature works:Customizable Settings - You can customize Quiet Hours in the teleCalm Caregiver App to activate during specific times, such as Nighttime Quiet Hours from 10 pm to 7 am.Default or Personalized Messages - Your loved one will hear a default message during Quiet Hours. You can also record a personalized message in your voice to reassure them.Easy to Set Up - Activate Quiet Hours under the Settings screen in the teleCalm Caregiver App. Select the time ranges for Daytime and Nighttime Quiet Hours. You can also adjust or turn off Quiet Hours anytime in the app.3. Establishing a Regular Sleep RoutineA consistent sleep schedule can help improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety at night. Encourage the elderly to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.4. Creating a Calming Sleep EnvironmentMake sure the bedroom is comfortable, quiet, and dark. Encourage the elderly to create a peaceful atmosphere by playing soothing music, using aromatherapy, or using a white noise machine.5. Limiting Caffeine and Alcohol IntakeEncourage the elderly to avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, as these substances can interfere with sleep quality and contribute to anxiety.6. Developing a Relaxation RoutineMeditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation before bedtime.7. Addressing Underlying Medical ConditionsAddress any underlying medical conditions contributing to anxiety at night, such as pain, urinary urgency, or respiratory distress.8. Talking to a Healthcare ProfessionalEncourage the elderly to seek professional help if their anxiety at night is severe or interfering with their daily activities. A mental health professional or physician can provide appropriate treatment options.Click Here to Contact teleCalm Today and Start Stress Free Phone Service!Alt Text: An Elderly Gentleman Holding a Colorful Ball (Image Source)Use a Mixed Approach to Help Combat Elderly Anxiety at NightElderly anxiety at night is a common issue that can significantly impact their quality of life. Fortunately, there are several strategies that caregivers can use to help alleviate anxiety in the elderly at night, such as establishing a regular sleep routine, creating a relaxing environment, engaging in relaxation techniques, and seeking professional help. Additionally, teleCalm offers solutions such as the Repeat Dialing feature, which can help reduce compulsive and repeated callsthe Quiet Hours feature, which blocks incoming and outgoing calls during specific times. With a mixed approach incorporating lifestyle changes and innovative technologies, caregivers can help their loved ones manage anxiety and improve their overall well-being.Related: My Mom is Calling at 3AM

Adult children of aging parents are all too familiar with what it means to have those difficult conversations. Theres the one where you ask Dad to stop driving. Or try to convince Mom she needs a walker. Perhaps one of the toughest conversations to have is talking to your parents about assisted living.Many seniors choose to move into senior living communities on their own during their younger, more active years so they can easily transition to assisted living. However,  its not uncommon for aging parents to hold on to the notion of remaining independent or believing that loved ones can help with the home care they need. Thats often the case even when its clear a parent requires the kind of daily care that assisted living facilities are best suited to provide.WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TALK ABOUT ASSISTED LIVING?The answer to that question varies. Its no surprise that the effects of getting older can sneak up. Maybe youve noticed Mom is having trouble with activities of daily living (what clinicians call ADLs) like dressing, mobility, hygiene or toileting alone. Those are signs that shouldnt be ignored. If at all possible, its even more considerate to have the conversation with her about elder care before the need arises and to continue an open dialogue as the situation evolves.TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CONVERSATION WITH YOUR PARENTTalking to your parents about assisted living isnt easy for any adult child, but its so vitally important. Here are few pointers to keep in mind as you begin:Casual Is Best: Keep your talks from seeming confrontational. Have them over a cup of tea on the porch and dont overwhelm Mom or Dad by getting too many family members involved in the discussion. Experts suggest making your initial conversations loose and casual. Get an idea of your parents attitude and desires he or she may be more open to the idea than you expected.Write It Down: This isnt a time for chatty spontaneity write down your thoughts in advance to help you stay on point and keep emotions in check. Plan to engage in several conversations of this nature and go slow. If things start to get heated, retreat and bring up the topic another time.Employ Positivity: Sometimes a parent just needs to hear out loud what they already know. But its important to word it in a positive, caring way like, Mom, youve done everything for our family and youve always been strong for us now its your turn to get a little extra help so you can relax and enjoy life worry-free you deserve it. For many aging adults, it can be a relief to have someone tell them its OK to lean on others.Sell the Benefits: There are so many wonderful advantages to assisted living in addition to daily attention by trained health care team members. Remind your Mom or Dad about the pleasure of being served delicious meals instead of having to cook; having friends and great activities just outside their door; and how nice it would not to worry about paying bills, cleaning the house, repairs, etc.Do Your Due Diligence: Sit down at the computer together and spend time browsing several senior living community websites. Youll quickly come to see that not all communities are alike in their philosophies and especially in what they offer. A community offering Life Care like Friendship Village of South Hills will allow your mom or dad to receive increasing levels of care, including long-term care, with virtually no increase in monthly costs.Seek Out Referrals: Look to friends and co-workers for recommendations. Youll be amazed at how many people in your age group have gone through exactly what youre experiencing. Their tips, advice and referrals are invaluable.Take a Tour Together: Assisted living communities love to show off the various living options and amenities they offer. Definitely plan to visit a few different communities with Mom or Dad to compare and contrast. You may even be able to arrange to have lunch together in the dining room, which is a great way to get a feel for the culture, meet some residents and sample the food

raveling with elderly parents can be a delightful experience for you and for your parents. A family meeting to plan the trip is a perfect way to make sure everyone has input and will be happy with the destination and details of the trip.Traveling with seniors, especially trips for elderly parents, can be a great way to see the world through their eyes. You may decide to travel to a familiar place your parents havent visited in years, such as the place they were born, or the town they grew up in.A nostalgic road trip will spark memories and initiate conversations to be cherished for years to come. Make sure you are prepared for frequent stops to get out of the car to stretch and use the restroom.These stops are perfect for treating yourselves to ice cream cones, fresh fruit from local fruit stands, or a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate if youre making your trip in the fall or winter.Everyone may have decided a new adventure would be the perfect trip. Are the mountains calling? Do you think your parents would enjoy dipping their toes in the ocean or hopping an airplane to a new and exciting destination?Safe travel for seniors should be a priority as you plan the trip. You should evaluate your parents health, mobility, and stamina. Are they able to walk long distances? What about soft surfaces such as sand or grass? Can they climb stairs? Are they able to board an airplane or shuttle bus?You can set up assisted travel options for elderly parents, such as a wheelchair transports at the airport, or making sure your destination is handicap accessible. If you plan to stay in a hotel, make sure you request a handicap accessible room.Those rooms have higher toilets and grab bars to make bathing, showering and toileting more comfortable and safer for the elderly guest. Call ahead to check on and set up the accommodation they need so your parents arent disappointed when you reach your destination.Travel tips for seniors will come in handy for any trip you take with your parents. Lets look at a few more tips for traveling with elderly parents that will make your trip enjoyable, safe and most of allfun!Check with your parents doctor to make sure it is safe for them to make the trip.Make sure they have the medicine they need for the time away. A first aid kit and basic OTC medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, antacids, and Benadryl should be included.Consider buying travel insurance, just in case. Especially if you are a long distance from home or out of the country.Plan activities everyone can enjoy but dont over-schedule.Allow time for resting between activities.Always ask for senior discounts.Try to request a ground floor room if you are staying in a hotel.Pack comfortable shoes.Take frequent breaks to eat, rest and stay hydrated.Allow time for yourself. You might be able to get a spa treatment, visit a museum or go out for a brisk walk while your parents are napping.Be flexible.Be prepared for the unexpected.DOWNLOAD OUR SLEEP HABITS GUIDETraveling with your elderly parents might be a challenge but it can also be one of the best experiences youll ever have. Just be ready to adjust your schedule to a slower pace, have patience when needed and most of all, enjoy them and have fun!