Senior anxiety: How do you manage new on-set anxiety as you age?

I make detailed plans to cover the predictable situations I dread. I'm 67 and live alone in my own house. Recently I've done online searches for retirement communities ranging from independent living to managed care. I haven't contacted any of them yet but for some reason just checking things out and starting a plan eases my dread.

I started focusing on planning after I emailed a psychologist to get online help with my fears. She never responded to me so I have my Rodney Dangerfield moment to laugh at. This episode by itself cheers me. I'm not sure why, I guess some things never change and ya gotta roll with the punches regardless.

Where do you live? I am in a retirement community and love it

I have found "therapy in a nutshell" on YouTube to be a helpful resource for anxiety in particular.

Thanks for the reply and ‘therapy in a nutshell’ tip on YouTube…just having a support group helps.. and I related to the story of your Rodney Dangerfield moment…thanks for the advice…

I too live in a retirement community in a very large area with many families..the majority are families couples
and it’s aged…well.. I still have these morning terrors..most of my former friends have moved away to live with children or they have passed on ..

Yea, these Golden Years are not for the weak physically or at heart. Living alone sucks. Many of my friends are alone. I think we should just move into a large commune. Ha!

Thanks for the reply..yes I agree with your sentiments…the psychological effects of going from several friends and acquaintances you’ve known for 10, 12 years to nobody is powerful…the morning fears really get me.. I have an appointment with a psychiatrist dec 20th…support groups help…thanks

I live in northern Virginia but have been looking at places in Ohio where I grew up and eastern PA where I lived while my husband wa alive.

Thanks for your reply…well Ohio
must be less of a crowded area and Pennsylvania as well…it’s getting very crowded down here in the Fredericksburg area…

Hi malo,
I've been full-time for over a year (and part time/not so intensely earlier) looking for ways to build social connection. Yes it does sometimes sort of freezes me, but then soon I begin to look for ways to develop connection -- with everything from lectures and book clubs and events at local libraries and community centers in the big city of Toronto in Canada. In fact I even joined some mental health groups even tho I don't have a clear mental health problem but would like to share my perspective on what helps with mental health.

Too many men rely on their spouses, even though friendship is to provide a level of connection that spouses often cannot; it's an add-on for healthy and wholesome human development. And it matters not is it man or woman, young or old, but whether EACH enjoys and finds it Mutually rewarding. It can be interests, skills, wisdom, experience that people bring so that Each finds it's an Equal relationship.

On national radio loneliness issue was covered; here's the link that shows many American references it draws upon. Hope it's helpful
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/who-loneliness-health-stigma-1.7035081