Anxiety Isn’t a Normal Part of Aging—It’s a Warning Sign — And When Left Untreated, It Increases Dementia Risk.

Anxiety increases dementia risk by 24% (about the same rate as diabetes) —but treatment for anxiety corrects this. Learn why early detection and treatment in older adults is critical to brain health.

If you think anxiety is just a normal part of aging, think again.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the powerful—and often overlooked—link between anxiety and dementia. As a clinical geropsychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how untreated anxiety can quietly increase a person’s risk for cognitive decline. But here’s the good news: when we identify and treat anxiety early, we may actually help prevent dementia later on.

I’ll walk you through the research, including a 2020 meta-analysis showing that anxiety increases dementia risk by 24%. That’s on par with diabetes as a risk factor. But the same research also shows that when anxiety is effectively treated, that risk virtually disappears.

In this episode, I break down exactly why anxiety matters for brain health—and what you can do in your clinical practice today to make a real difference.

This isn’t just about reducing symptoms. It’s about restoring dignity, peace of mind, and protecting brain health—now and for years to come.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why anxiety is not a normal part of aging

• What the latest research says about anxiety and dementia risk

• How chronic anxiety contributes to inflammation and neurological vulnerability

• Why anxiety so often goes undetected in older adults—and what to look for instead

• How to screen, assess, and treat anxiety in age-appropriate ways

• Four clinical strategies you can implement immediately

• Why collaborating with healthcare teams improves outcomes

• How treating anxiety helps protect brain health—for today and for the future

4 Essential Steps Therapists Can Take to Treat Anxiety in Older Adults

1. Screen for Anxiety
   Start looking for signs like sleep issues, somatic complaints, and vague physical concerns. Anxiety often hides behind physical health complaints, so get curious and dig deeper.

2. Normalize & Educate
   Help your clients understand that anxiety isn’t “just part of aging.” Provide hope. Offer real solutions. Let them know they’re not alone.

3. Provide Psychotherapy That Fits
   Modify your therapy approach to meet the needs of older adults. The methods that work for your 30-year-old clients don’t always work at 75.

4. Collaborate with Healthcare Providers
   Integrate care. Reach out to their primary care providers or specialists. When we coordinate with medical teams, outcomes improve—and clients feel more supported.

Remember…

It’s only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults. So thank you for being here—and thank you for doing your part.

Resources Mentioned

• CE Courses focused on Mental Health & Aging

Professionals:

Learn to adapt your practice for older adults and join me for my 90-min CE course on August 21, 2025

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References

• Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., et al. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01042-3
• Santabárbara, J., Lipnicki, D. M., Olaya, B., Villagrasa, B., Bueno-Notivol, J., Nuez, L., López-Antón, R., & Gracia-García, P. (2020). Does Anxiety Increase the Risk of All-Cause Dementia? An Updated Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(6), 1791. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061791