Coping with Senior Stress

Older adults face significant stressful situations as they age, like coping with the loss of a loved one. Or, some seniors worry about a possible decline in their health, mobility, diminishing finances and independence. When younger it can be easier to handle stress and move on. For older adults, the way they deal with stress and the way their body manages it can change, making proper stress management that much more essential.

How to Recognize Stress

It’s important to recognize the more common signs of stress in order to help protect the overall health of your loved one. Signs of stresscould include:

●     Changes in sleeping patterns or insomnia

●     Becoming forgetful, experiencing memory problems

●     Overeating, frequent indigestion, weight loss or gain

●     Withdrawing socially or from activities once enjoyed

●     Having frequent tension headaches or heart palpitations

●     Experiencing mood swings, increased irritability, or depression

●     Lacking concentration or exhibiting poor judgment

How to Reduce Stress in Your Life

People who have a positive outlook on life tend to deal with stress better as they age. They find enjoyment in even the smallest moments.Here are a few stress management tips and tricks for seniors that may help:

Identify Where the Stress is Coming From. Try and identify what’s causing the stress. Knowing the root causes, or causes, of stress will help you figure out how to deal with it or even how to eliminate it. Write it down think of different ways to get past it, talk to your parents about the situation and bring in the help of a professional if needed.  

Try Stress Relief Techniques. Meditating, deep breathing exercises, or even yoga all provide a way to let go of some of the tension and anxiety that create stress.

Maintain strong social connections. Maintaining or building relationships with friends and loved ones or simply sharing feelings with others will help ease some of the stress your parent is going through.

Laugh daily. One of the easiest ways to manage stress? A good old fashioned belly laugh! A good sense of humour can go a long way in reducing stress levels. As they say, laughter is the best medicine!

Take a break. Try something new! Promote the idea of a morning walk instead of sleeping in, experiment with a new dish at mealtimes, or take up an interesting hobby. Sometimes, simply switching up the daily routine can help with stress management.

Keep moving. Exercise is a recognized stress-buster. Take up a physical activity that’s enjoyable, whether it’s walking, biking, swimming, or taking an exercise class with friends.

About ChinookVillage Medicine Hat

Chinook Village is a 23-acre Medicine Hat not-for-profit retirement home providing seniors housing with a variety of seniors accommodations, services and healthcare options.

Lifestyles include independent living, supportive living, assisted living, life lease seniors apartments, trial stays, respite care and aging in place.

At Chinook Village Seniors Housing Medicine Hat, residents enjoy a wide range of activities and guidance to help reduce their stress levels. Contact Melanie our Lifestyle Consultant more information.