Seniors or the elderly face various life stressors every day, often brought about by mobility and medical issues. Because older people are weaker, more vulnerable to disease and medical complications, and usually left in boredom and isolation, they become stressed and anxious.
Hence, hypnotherapy can help seniors become more positive and relaxed in dealing with daily life struggles.
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy or hypnosis uses focused attention, guided relaxation, and intense concentration by ignoring and blocking the surroundings to attain a trance or heightened state of awareness. A therapist carries out this psychological intervention using mental images and verbal repetition, allowing the client to feel more relaxed, calmer, and more open to suggestions.
Ways Hypnotherapy Can Help the Elderly
Learn the different ways hypnosis can help seniors below.
1. Hypnotherapy Eases Elderly Anxiety
A 2019 research article explains how hypnotherapy can be used as an alternative approach in anxiety management among the elderly. This group typically experiences a decline in a person’s physical and psychological state, in which they go through many changes, such as memory problems and decreased vision.
Because of these changes, seniors develop sensitive feelings, anxiety, and depression often occur. Hypnotherapy can help minimize these problems by identifying the root causes for better coping and anxiety management.
2. Hypnotherapy Reduces Dementia Symptoms
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered that hypnosis can reduce the impacts of dementia among seniors. A forensic psychologist compared hypnotherapy and group therapy and how they affected participants who were asked to tackle news and current affairs.
3. Hypnotherapy Can Help Reduce Pain 
A randomized controlled study published in 2016 shows that hypnotherapy can help reduce pain in hospitalized senior patients. Because chronic pain is a serious and common health problem in elderly patients, researchers are wondering if non-pharmacological approaches, such as hypnosis, can be of help.
The study involved 53 patients who were divided into two groups: 26 underwent hypnosis, and 27 took the massage. In both groups, pain intensity decreased. But the average pain measurement based on the brief pain index showed that the hypnosis group sustained a greater pain reduction during hospitalization than the massage group.
4. Hypnosis Can Help Seniors Pursue Hobbies
Retirement planning is a crucial topic for seniors. Besides financial matters, an important aspect of retirement planning is keeping oneself busy. That’s why seniors and their families and support systems try to provide helpful and meaningful activities that older people can try when they reach retirement.
However, carrying out activities can be difficult for seniors because of their physical condition, aggravated by pain, dementia symptoms, and other medical conditions. Besides conventional treatments, hypnosis can help seniors pursue their newfound hobbies. The elderly can enjoy their retirement years because they worry less about chronic pain and stressful situations.
Conclusion
Hypnotherapy can help the elderly in many ways. This holistic intervention can help reduce anxiety and dementia symptoms, which are the most common problems that seniors experience. If you or a loved one is a senior or caring for an elderly, it’s about time to try hypnosis to provide an effective alternative treatment to their physical and psychological issues.
Author Bio
Shiela Johnson is a hypnotherapy advocate. Her advocacy prompted her to publish informative blogs for many online publications. During her free time, Shiela loves listening to music and gardening.