What I can do
Look for signs of anxiety in people with serious illness. These include restlessness, muscle tension, and irritability. Breathlessness and palpitations can also indicate anxiety.
Show concern by asking ‘Is there anything troubling you?’ ‘Is there anything you would like to talk about?’
Record anxiety in the older person’s care notes and alert their GP, where appropriate, for further assessment and management. The GP may need to review current medications, prescribe anti-anxiety ones, or refer the person for an appropriate psychological therapy.
Consider the benefits of non-drug therapies such as relaxation, touch, mindfulness, music therapy, or massage.
What I can learn
Personal care workers and nurses can learn more about their role in caring for an older person with anxiety within the palliAGED Practice Tips.
Watch the video Benzodiazepines at the end of life in the palliAGED Education on the Run Series for aged care nurses.
The role of benzodiazepines at end of life
People interested in the current research on this topic can visit the CareSearch Clinical Evidence Summary on anxiety.
What I can give
Direct the older person or their family member to the CareSearch Community Centre information page on Anxiety and depression
They might also find helpful the resource Depression and anxiety (Marie Curie, UK)
What I can suggest to my organisation
Raise awareness that anxiety affects about 10 per cent of older people and is particularly common in residential facilities and for people approaching the end of life.
Advocate for routine assessments for anxiety disorders as part of the care plan. Suggest using a validated tool such as the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (fee involved).
Recommend regular staff training sessions to improve recognition and management of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Align this with Outcome 5.5 Clinical safety under the revised Aged Care Standards, ensuring compliance.
Encourage the organisation to establish regular case conferences for residents with mental health concerns or where psychological distress has been noted. Advocate for including the individual and their family in these discussions.
Promote a culture where staff feel comfortable and supported in bringing concerns about an older person’s psychological wellbeing to management. Suggest establishing clear pathways for reporting and addressing these issues to enhance care and staff confidence.
Recommend expanding access to therapeutic services that can help alleviate anxiety and improve residents’ quality of life. Examples include:
- Life review or dignity therapy, which can provide a sense of purpose and closure.
- Music therapy, known for its calming effects.
- For residents with dementia, propose implementing Namaste Care, a structured, multisensory program with strong evidence for reducing anxiety and agitation.
Page created 08 January 2025