8 Most Common Sources of Fear for Older Adults

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What Are Seniors’ Greatest Fears in Tucson, AZ

Fear is one emotion people never outgrow. Younger adults sometimes fear getting old, but older adults tend to find there’s nothing wrong with aging. Getting older does bring up a few new fears, however, and your aging loved one needs to talk about his or her anxieties to find solutions that help him or her stay calm.

1. Running Out of Money

                                                                                                                                                   After years of saving money, there may come a time when some seniors worry they won’t have enough. The rising costs of healthcare, food, and lodging can sometimes seem insurmountable. Seniors can plan budgets that help them feel more in control of their finances.

2. Being Injured While Alone

No one wants to be stuck on the floor with an injury and no way to get help. Seniors who live alone know they’re vulnerable to injuries. Arrange for a caregiver to stay with your loved one during times when he or she needs additional help to make sure he or she doesn’t have to worry about being alone during an emergency.

Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

3. Developing Embarrassing Symptoms

Many health conditions come with symptoms that are potentially embarrassing for seniors. Your loved one may worry incontinence could cause an awkward situation while he or she is out in public. Create a plan for accident prevention, and let your loved one know how you or another caregiver can help him or her prevent having an accident that draws attention to his or her health issues.

4. Getting a Bad Health Diagnosis

Seniors are at higher risk for serious health conditions as they age. Your loved one may fear going to the doctor for a routine checkup, since even these can reveal serious problems. Offer to have an advocate go with your loved one so he or she enjoys the moral support and feels more confident about asking questions about his or her health.

5. Having Loved Ones Forget Them

The lonely senior sitting at home without anyone around is an image that plays repeatedly in many seniors’ minds. Show your loved one he or she is a valued member of the family by inviting him or her to special events and regular family gatherings. Your loved one will appreciate being remembered and benefit from being more social.

6. Becoming Obsolete

Your loved one may also be worried his or her skills and knowledge will no longer matter to other people. Your parent can avoid feeling obsolete by volunteering or serving as a mentor to younger adults, and he or she can also take classes to keep his or her skills fresh.

7. Experiencing the Loss of a Loved One

Seniors often fear losing their spouses or best friends. Some seniors may also have adult children who have health issues of their own. Provide distractions for seniors who worry about losing the people they love, and focus on helping them make new memories that can keep them from feeling scared.

Seniors who are managing the loss of loved ones may need someone to talk to and share their feelings with. For families living in Tucson, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

8. Losing Their Memories

Your loved one has spent a lifetime creating memories that provide comfort as he or she gets older. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can cause seniors to fear losing those memories. Plan memory-boosting activities to prevent your loved one from being so afraid of the cognitive changes that come with aging. Online brain training games, puzzles, and stimulating conversations can strengthen seniors’ memory skills.

Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of at-home care. Tucson families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (520) 276-6555 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.

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