Stress is almost as much of a part of life as breathing. Walk down a street and ask every stranger you meet if they’ve ever felt stressed about something, and you can bet that the majority of them, if not all of them, will give you a resounding yes. And some will probably share that they are feeling stressed at this moment!

Your elderly loved one is no different. She’s probably managed many stressful situations in her life and could perhaps have a few going on right now. While stress is common for all ages, seniors face some stressors more than their younger counterparts.

Five Common Stress Contributors in Your Senior’s Life

Health Concerns

Whether it’s “normal” aging issues like less energy or a serious health diagnosis like diabetes, health concerns can cause a lot of fear and stress.

Financial Worries

Being on a limited and stagnant budget can cause a lot of stress for some seniors as they try to manage unexpected costs and maintain a lifestyle that they’ve grown accustomed to.

Death of Loved Ones

It’s inevitable that as we age, we’ll lose more people we love but that doesn’t make it easy.

Lost Freedoms

Your senior might not be able to drive anymore or walk as far as she used to. These things can lead to stress when she wants to go somewhere she can’t get to.

Overwhelming Responsibilities

Your loved one may want to remain in her home, but if all of the housework is too much for her, it might overwhelm her and keep her up at night.

Finding Relief From Stress

Oftentimes, a situation can become stressful when a person feels like they have no control. That lack of control over a situation can lead your elderly loved one to feel hopeless and unable to find relief from the stress of a current situation. While your loved one cannot control everything that life is going to throw her way, there are techniques of how she manages those curveballs that she can usually take to help relieve her stress levels.

• Learn about what is causing your loved one stress. Knowledge is power and will help your loved one and you be a better advocate for her. While deep dives on the internet may overwhelm and confuse your loved one, ask her doctor about reliable sources of medical information if she receives an unwanted diagnosis. Or talk to a financial planner to help her find new ways to manage her money wisely.
• Talk about it. From dealing with the devastating death of a loved one to trying to balance the struggles that only seniors experience, finding a support group or trusted individual to talk to can often help your loved one reduce the stress she feels around a life event.
• Get help from others. As her caregiver, you cannot do it all. If your loved one needs a bit more assistance around the home or with finding ways to relieve her stress, consider having a home care provider come to the home to help. A home care provider can help when your loved one is feeling overwhelmed with housework or preparing healthy meals. A home care provider can also provide safe transportation as needed and even assist her in managing her medications and refill schedules. A little help can reduce a lot of stress.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Natomas, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aging Assistant today at (916) 897-4752

James Ozsvath

Aging Assistant is a locally owned and operated in-home senior care provider, we are dedicated to helping our clients to remain in the home they love for as long as they can. Our caregiving staff are all warm and compassionate professionals, experienced in taking care of seniors in various stages of health. We handle a wide range of services, such as help with shopping, housekeeping, attending doctor’s appointments, and preparing meals. We also provide our clients with limited mobility or more intensive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia with the higher level of personal care that they require. Call our team now if you need help with a loved one's care.

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