Top Tips for Reducing Elderly Anxiety at Night | teleCalm
Sep 10, 2023
Non-Book Market , Texas - Dallas, Collin, SE Denton & Rockwall Counties
Email US
Click to Email Us
Top Tips for Reducing Elderly Anxiety at Night
Trying 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 Parents
Understanding Elderly Anxiety at Night
To fully grasp nighttime anxiety in older adults, we must examine its causes and symptoms.
The Causes of Anxiety in the Elderly at Night
There 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, Alzhermer’s, 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 Adults
Anxiety 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 Night
Here are some tips that can help reduce elderly anxiety at night:
1 Using teleCalm's Repeat Dialing Feature
With 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.
Notifications
Gentle Messages to Your Loved One
No Additional Cost
Alt Text: An Elderly Woman In Her Room (Image Source)
2. Using teleCalm's Quiet Hours Feature
The 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 Routine
A 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 Environment
Make 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 Intake
Encourage 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 Routine
Meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation before bedtime.
7. Addressing Underlying Medical Conditions
Address any underlying medical conditions contributing to anxiety at night, such as pain, urinary urgency, or respiratory distress.
8. Talking to a Healthcare Professional
Encourage 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 Night
Elderly 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 calls—the 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
Other Articles You May Like
Aging in Place? Stay Connected with Accessible Telecommunications Services.
Did you know that Pennsylvania has the fifth largest older adult population in the nation with 3.4 million individuals?1 As the population continues to age, more people are weighing their options when it comes to downsizing, moving into a senior living community, or choosing to age in the comfort of their homes. According to a 2021 Home and Community Preferences survey by AARP of 2,826 U.S. adults, about 75% of people over the age of 50 expressed that they would like to remain in their current houses and communitiesmeaning aging in place is becoming a more prevalent life choice among older adults.2What to Know About Aging in PlaceIf youre leaning toward spending your years in the place where you feel the most content and safe, then you need to be willing to make some modifications to your home. As you age, your needs change, which means certain features in your home may need to be adjusted. Wider doorways and walkways; accessible bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms; ramps and lifts; non-slip floors; and stability aids like grab bars and handrails are some of the most common enhancements that come to mind, but assistive technology can play an important role in aging in place too.Many people choose to age in place because they want to maintain their independence, and assistive technology helps make that possible. From smart home devices that allow you to control the temperature or lights with voice commands to amplified phones and doorbells, there are plenty of high-tech tools that can help you navigate your day-to-day with ease. If youre a senior with hearing loss, Captioned Telephone Relay Service is a free service that allows you to read captions of whats said to you during phone conversations using a uniquely designed CapTel phone.CapTel Makes Phone Conversations Clearer Using CapTel, you can confidently and securely age in place knowing that you can effectively communicate over the phone. Whether youre calling loved ones to catch up, chatting with your doctor, or contacting first responders in an emergency, CapTel is a dependable communication solution for older adults who have hearing loss.Best of all, the CapTel captioning service is free and available in English and Spanish, with captions appearing on the bright, built-in display screen of the CapTel phone just moments after the other caller has spoken. CapTel phones can be purchased directly for $75 through a third-party vendor, or qualified Pennsylvania residents can apply for a CapTel device through the states Telecommunications Device Distribution Program (TDDP)which provides specialized equipment to individuals who find it difficult to use a standard phone. Age in Place Confidently with CapTelTo learn more about CapTel, including how to purchase or apply for an assistive communication device, visit pactrs.com today!Sources:1Master Plan for Older Adults, Pennsylvania Department of Aging 22021 Home and Community Preferences Survey: A National Survey of Adults Age 18-Plus | Joannne Binette & Fanni Farago, AARP Research CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.
Enter Article Title
This is the description. Please enter at least 500 words for best chance of indexing.
Why Choose A Winter Respite At A Personal Care Home
Moving to a personal care home is a big decision based on many factors. Cold winter months are drawing near, and the Farmers Almanac is forecasting a Winter Wonderland for the northeastern United States. Keeping this in mind, and to avoid winter chores, this is a great time to consider a respite stay and experience first-hand what life is like living in a personal care home.Experience an easier moveWinter weather conditions like snow and ice can complicate the move to a personal care home. Moving before bad weather conditions arrive allows seniors to avoid potential weather-related delays, accidents or other challenges during transportation and when moving belongings.Try out the personal care homeRespite care offers seniors a chance to try out a retirement community without making a long-term commitment. Country Meadows offers all-rental retirement living accommodations, so seniors are not beholden to a lengthy lease or an ownership stake. A respite stay can help older adults see for themselves whether or not the community is a good fit for a permanent move.Avoid winter weather challengesMany older adults struggle with winter chores such as shoveling snow, chipping away ice, walking on icy sidewalks, managing heating systems and driving in inclement weather. A temporary respite stay at a personal care home eliminates these responsibilities, as well as many other daily chores, removing worries. It provides seniors the opportunity to settle into their new living arrangement without the added stress of winter weather.Access daily assistance and health servicesAlong with cold weather, the winter season can also bring several challenges for older adults to maintain wellness. A major benefit to living at a personal care home is prompt, easy access to health resources and assistance. This is especially beneficial for seniors with health concerns and mobility issues. If a resident requires assistance with medications, dressing, bathing or another daily activity, simply push a call button and a personal care associate can provide needed help. And a wellness team keeps an eye on each residents overall health.Reduce lonelinessMany seniors experience loneliness and isolation while living at home. The winter months can magnify these feelings. Respite care offers opportunities for social interaction and engagement with new neighbors and friends in the same age group, reducing feelings of loneliness and providing mental stimulation.Participate in activities, enjoy entertainment and outingsSenior living communities often offer a variety of enriching activities and events. At Country Meadows, our Vibe program considers each residents physical, cognitive, social and spiritual needs and customizes activities, entertainment, outings and purposeful service opportunities. Events are organized seasonally by categories and offer opportunities for socialization and fun. When living at a personal care home, one doesnt need to brave the elements outside, because all the fun during winter is happening indoors, fostering a sense of belonging among residents.Provide relief for family caregiversA respite stay offers a break for family members and friends providing care in a seniors private home. This break is especially appreciated during winter months when private caregiving responsibilities might become more demanding due to inclement weather, illnesses or holiday-related activities.When considering respite care at a personal care home or retirement community over the winter months, its important to do some homework. Families and seniors should research and visit potential facilities to ensure the community can meet specific needs and preferences of each individual. The decision for respite care should prioritize the well-being, comfort and specific needs of each person, aiming to provide a supportive and enriching experience. Contact Country Meadows Retirement Communities today.
Local Services By This Author
teleCalm
Memory Care -Customized Solutions 5 Cowboys Way, Frisco, Texas, 75034teleCalm stops problem calls for families living with Alzheimers & other cognitive challenges at home and in senior living communities.teleCalm provides a safe phone services for seniors living with Alzheimers and other cognitive challenges. Their services help family caregivers to manage and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing calls, including late-night calls, repeated calls, 911 abuse, and targeted fraud. teleCalm offers two levels of stress-free home phone services for seniors: the Caregiver service and the Trust service. The Caregiver service is designed to solve common challenges faced by caregivers and their loved ones. It helps seniors maintain their independence, reduces isolation, and prevents everyday problems such as late-night calls, repeated calls, 911 abuse, and telemarketer/scam calls. This service works with regular home phones and replaces the existing landline service provider. The family caregiver manages all the features and benefits of the service remotely through the teleCalm Caregiver app. The Trust service is designed for independent seniors and filters out robocallers before they have a chance to ring through to the seniors phone. This service learns over time who your loved ones trusted contacts are based on their calling habits. teleCalm's phone service replaces current home phone service, often for less money than the current basic phone service. The company has simple pricing, with all taxes and fees included in the monthly pricing. Internet is not required to have teleCalm service, and you can keep your current phone number, or the phone number of your loved one. teleCalm is a veteran and woman-owned company, with a 5-Star rating on both BBB and Google. All of their support team is US-based and have been family caregivers themselves. If you're looking for a safe phone service for seniors, visit teleCalmProtects.com to learn more and see how they can help solve your phone-related challenges.