Stress Affects Seniors More Than Others

Did you know that stress in seniors’ lives can lead to worsening of health conditions?

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month. Stress, which is something all of us are affected by, is a mental reaction to challenging circumstances. Stress exists as a mechanism to help humans survive and is the basis of the “fight-or-flight” response we have in challenging circumstances. The signs of stress in yourself and others can be easy to miss because of how prevalent stress is in our everyday lives. That’s why taking some time during Stress Awareness Month to learn the impact of stress, especially in older adults, is so valuable. While some stress can be healthy, chronic stress can lead to negative health outcomes that get worse with age.

How Does Stress Affect Older Adults?

Yes. There are many reasons why stress affects older adults more than younger adults. First, stress and inflammation are closely linked, and stress can negatively impact the body’s ability to effectively respond to some inflammation. That inflammation can then lead to other age-related conditions. Thus, more stress leads to more inflammation, and more inflammation leads to more health problems. These problems include diabetes, arthritis, dementia, cancer, and more. High stress levels have also been shown to reduce the effectiveness of certain vaccines in seniors.

What are Some More Complications of Stress?

Chronic stress can lead to many long-term health problems. These problems can be throughout your whole body, including:

• Immune system: arthritis, fibromyalgia, and psoriasis
• Digestive system: weight gain or loss, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome
• Cardiovascular system: high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations
• Reproductive system: infections, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and infertility

How Can I Relieve My Stress?

Knowing how to best relieve your stress can be a massive help in bringing peace and calmness into your life. You probably live a very busy life; with that in mind, here are some easy tips to help relieve your stress. We encourage you to find what works best for you.

• Get active – basically any form of physical activity can help alleviate stress.
• Eat a healthy diet – fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Meditate – meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that helps your overall health.
• Laugh more – laughing helps lighten your mental load and can lead to positive physical changes.
• Connect with others – social contact can help offer a distraction, provide support, and help you deal with life’s challenges.
• Yoga – helps you relax, easing stress and anxiety.
• Sleep more – try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Can Griswold Help?

If you have a loved one in need of home care who is stressed about starting home care or transitioning to home care from a hospital stay, give us a call. Griswold can help relieve their stress with our companionship care. We are happy to talk through everything we offer and will come visit your home to further discuss care options. While we do not provide medical care, we offer in-home services such as personal care, homemaking, and companionship, all delivered by our excellent and compassionate Caregivers. Our mission is to create an environment where you feel safe and supported.

Maybe you’re the child of someone needing home care, and you’ve taken on that responsibility yourself over the past few weeks or months. We also offer respite care services to give you a break. Your health matters too, and taking a break can be very beneficial for your own physical, emotional, and mental health.

Whether you need just a few hours of help each week with respite care in Chandler or full-time support through live-in care in Ahwatukee, we are dedicated to meeting your needs. We encourage you to reach out to us today to discuss how we can work together to develop a personalized care plan that suits your situation. In many instances, we can arrange for a Caregiver to be in your home within 24 hours. Let us help you find the support you deserve.