Excessive anxiety is not a normal part of aging, but many older adults may experience anxiety as they experience transitions and enter a new chapter in life. 

Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) and Anxiety Canada have partnered up to disseminate resources on anxiety in older adults, and CCSMH is developing new national guidelines for anxiety in older adults to help support health care providers with assessment and treatment. 

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s in-house Registered Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Educator, interviews Dr. Andrea Iaboni, a geriatric psychiatrist and scientist at Toronto Rehab and University Health Network in Toronto.  

Dr. Iaboni shares her experiences and expertise in the field of geriatric psychiatry. She also recalls helping advocate for her father’s mental health as he navigated the health care system in older age. This episode highlights the complexity of anxiety in older adults, as Dr. Iaboni emphasizes that anxiety often arises from a combination of medical conditions, lifestyle changes, and emotional stressors. Dr. Iaboni also stresses the importance of psychoeducation and information dissemination in treating anxiety, as the right information can help people understand and cope with their symptoms. 

Mark and Andrea discuss the challenges older adults face in seeking mental health support, including the need for specialized treatment tailored to their unique circumstances. Dr. Iaboni underscores the significance of CCSMH’s upcoming clinical guidelines, which aim to bridge gaps in understanding and treatment for both healthcare providers and older adults and their caregivers. Dr. Iaboni's insights shed light on a critical area of mental healthcare that is often overlooked, and she hopes her work can offer hope and guidance to older adults and their families.  

If you are supporting an older adult in your life who may be experiencing anxiety, help them seek emotional support from their network and connect with their primary care providers. COMING SOON: In partnership with CCSMH, Anxiety Canada’s Anxiety in Older Adults comprehensive resource page.  

Find more anxiety resources on Anxiety Canada’s Get Help page. 

About the Guest:  

Dr. Andrea Iaboni is a geriatric psychiatrist and scientist at Toronto Rehab, University Health Network in Toronto, and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.  She is the co-lead a project by the Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health to develop clinical guidelines for the assessment and treatment of anxiety in older adults.