What Causes Stress in the Elderly?

in #steemstem5 years ago

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During the last stage of life the losses that older adults must face are much more frequent, in this research we will study a very fashionable phenomenon in recent years such as stress, it is difficult for us to imagine how stress can affect older adults, that is, it is exposed to both positive and negative situations, influencing older adults differently, depending on the degree of emotion. In the elderly people who are inactive, aspects such as anger, irritability, depression that can eventually become a threat to the well-being of old age are very frequently manifested in them. It usually happens to us that we relate the episodes of stress to negative situations, but it is also that the good times are loaded with emotion or tension, which are usually a source of stress such as a child's wedding, the birth of a grandchild, family reunion retirement

Many studies have been carried out with respect to the construction of stress, resulting in a complex phenomenon, whose understanding is difficult, because the study is focused on the individual, and not the external environment, which is where stressors are particularly present. In the field of the elderly, stress has become the most common cause of the emergence of other diseases. On the other hand, the diseases, more common at this stage, can be cause for anxiety situations. On the other hand, the stress disorder causes disjointed social behaviors, which in many cases are maintained over time, creating stimuli and perceptions in people, being a risk factor to which individuals daily face attacks of different nature, manifesting In moods because of the feelings and emotions of both internal and external character, we can make the comparison of two totally different contexts or scenarios but in both of them there is stress, that is, it will be the same whether you are about to be attacked by an enraged animal, or as if he just knew the love of his life

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So many researchers have described the phenomenon of stress as a normal physiological response of the organism to deal with an instance of the environment. Stress can have two aspects: physical and emotional, being older adults especially vulnerable to them, the fact of worrying about the country-situation, finances, family or physical causes to which our body is subjected when it reaches the Old age can cause stressful situations and even accelerate aging. The situation of the elderly generates the need to study variables such as anxiety and stress, which can be caused by different factors such as home change, among others, as they cause a negative impact on health. Stress depends on the meaning that the person gives to the different events, that is to say that being positively assessed the situation is beneficial for the individual, but if on the contrary it identifies it as threatening it would trigger the stress response.

One of the things that happen in our body when we age is that we lose the ability to deal with unexpected situations correctly. The fact of isolating oneself, of not being able to fend for themselves, are other situations that can trigger episodes of stress before which the body can manifest itself with numerous symptoms, from gastrointestinal problems to ulcers, through tachycardia or a feeling of exhaustion. Stress in older adults can deteriorate health because when facing a situation that generates tension, the body produces more cortisol, which causes memory impairment, premature aging and even death, so it is suggested to face Stress positively.

Adulthood

Older adulthood or old age is one more stage, it is a process through which the human being must pass and in which he continues to interact with his environment, which depends on society, will be affected by the restrictions or privileges obtained in the previous stages . Which entails, a break in the course of development and it is not a terminal period, it is simply a conflict in which the person evaluates his life and when feeling satisfied he feels that his efforts really reached his expectations, when negative results are triggered regrets, disappointments and regrets, not right decisions, in which you would like to amend mistakes, but you are aware that there is no opportunity, trying to adapt to the circumstances and feeling the closest death. In the face of despair, it focuses on the resolution of regulatory crises, in which a positive resolution is sought and at the same time a personal growth.

Currently there is a problem that occurs in older adults such as family abandonment, caused by various factors, which leads to the loss of social interactions of this population. Abandonment leads to a vulnerability in the basic needs of the individual such as food, protection, health, hygiene, housing, in terms of emotional or psychological abandonment refers to the lack of affection, in the first instance the ties of communication with your family group and friends, being forgotten in geriatric homes.

How to treat stress in older adults?

Daily physical activity, such as walks or walks, accompanied by physical exercise, generates endorphins that help maintain a positive attitude, delay aging and help keep older adults strong and independent. In the elderly, physical exercise and maintain an active lifestyle, promotes, maintains good health. Obtaining maximum benefits since the physical condition is the most disturbed by the age of this population. So physical training improves the self-esteem and physical fitness of the individual considerably reducing the risk of suffering many diseases and disabilities. At any given time, the environment can act as a strong support in stressful situations and can help them cope better.

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Managing stress is possible during all stages of life, but perhaps the most important thing is to learn to take a positive attitude at all times, since positive people manage stress better and have the will to live than pessimistic people. Dancing, listening to music, has innumerable benefits for the elderly, especially since it reduces stress levels.

It is of great interest the development of a change of consciousness towards the methodical practice of exercises because most of the human beings are unaware of the use of this powerful tool as a preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation method to raise the quality of life, being a fundamental link to extend the life of the elderly.

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Accompanying the elderly, helps to eliminate stress in them, because they feel assisted, away from those feelings of loneliness, help them get distracted, talk, listen is a positive mechanism for these people to enjoy good health.

Conclusion

The problems associated with the aging process are sometimes sources of stress. Stress, at any age, constitutes a risk factor for people's health, well-being and quality of life; but this becomes particularly sensitive in the elderly, a stage in the life cycle in which prevention and control are of the utmost importance. Elderly people feel that the most important thing in their lives is to reach that stage and be active, healthy, healthy, with a lucid mind that remember activities of their youth, which will help with their memory, that they can read a book, also remember pleasant moments of their lives.

Therefore, the best aging is that achieved by people at different stages of their cycle, the activities surrounding the elderly give motivation and is the secret to reach and remain with dignity, and reduce stress levels, is to reach a life Physical and mental health, active for as long as possible, is to teach him to face the circumstances in a positive way, that they feel are still useful for society, especially for their families.

The quality that best describes the elderly is wisdom, obtained through the experiences of both their own and others, the weaknesses that arise at this stage are due to fear of death or hopelessness. A factor that affects the stress variable is the environment in which the individual interacts, in the case of this research, since the elderly are in a quiet environment, they have few concerns, they have staff that motivates and accompanies them constantly. Having no economic, social, labor and family responsibilities, the level of concern decreases, which may be associated with the low level of stress evidenced in the results.

Although no one can be considered as totally resistant to stress, there are people who have a good command of it, generally they remain balanced in the face of adverse circumstances, they know how to face the danger, while others feel destabilized by more insignificant events, they respond with sensations of enormous tension and discomfort, considering these as more vulnerable to stress. Psychological vulnerability is not determined solely by a deficit of resources, but by the relationship between the importance that the consequences have for the individual and the resources available to avoid the threat.

At this stage, chronic diseases may be more frequent and impose more limitations. On the other hand, people face the consequences of retirement, the death of the spouse, the death of friends and contemporaries, all these elements can lead to greater vulnerability. Although both sexes have a similar vulnerability ratio, men have more severe levels. The origin of stress is generally related to traumatic events, although it is hard to grow old, it is even harder to do it alone, which is why it is so terrible to face the death of the spouse. In this stage of life, widowhood is as hard as in other stages. All older adults are affected by inappropriate lifestyles, sedentary life, toxic habits, inadequate sleep or eating patterns, little distraction; elements that increase the risks of getting sick.

Bibliography:

@abgjosesalas

Lcdo. in Nursing and Lawyer
Graduated from the Universidad de los Andes

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