Is your elderly loved one experiencing anxiety due to the coronavirus? If so, you can help them to relieve their anxiety. Before doing so, it is important to realize that everyone is reacting in their own way to this pandemic. Do your best to be understanding that your elderly loved one is experiencing anxiety. If you can do that, you will better be able to help them overcome their anxiety.
Looking At Things From a Different Perspective
Your elderly loved one may be having anxiety in relation to the coronavirus because they are stuck seeing the pandemic in just one perspective. It may be helpful if you talk to them about how you see things or how others you know see things. If your elderly loved one can view things from a different perspective, this could help to relieve some or possibly even all of the anxiety they are experiencing.
Finding the Source of the Anxiety
What is your elderly loved one actually anxious about? For instance, are they worried that someone they love will pass away from this virus? Maybe they are concerned about this because someone they loved has passed away from a different virus. If this is the case, let them know that you are there for them. You will let them vent to you and talk to you about anything they would like. Finding the source of the anxiety and recognizing it could help your elderly loved one to leave some of their anxieties behind.
Asking for Help
You should let your elderly loved one know that it is okay if they need to ask someone for help. Maybe they are feeling anxious due to being alone all the time. If this is the case, you can see if they want you to hire an elder care provider. The elder care provider can come to their home a couple of times each week to keep them company. In addition, your elderly loved one may be anxious because they are worried about leaving their home to run errands. If that is the case, you can see if the elder care provider will help run their errands. Let your elderly loved one know they can call you at any time if they need help.
Keep Connecting
Don’t let your elderly loved one isolate themselves. While they may have to be alone a lot during this pandemic, that doesn’t mean they can’t connect with people they love and care about. You can help them by calling them or even video chatting with them a few times each week. This will show them you are there for them. By staying connected, your elderly loved one may be able to reduce some of their anxiety.
These are some anxiety relief tips that can help your elderly loved one during the coronavirus pandemic. If your elderly loved one is suffering from anxiety at this time, make sure they know you are there for them.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
https://adaa.org/finding-help/coronavirus-anxiety-helpful-resources