For individuals of all ages, stress is often overlooked as a serious medical concern. In elderly individuals specifically, stress can take an extreme toll that can have lasting negative effects. That's why it's vital to be able to identify stress in an aging parent so that you can take the necessary steps to eliminate the stressor. Since spotting stress in an aging parent isn't always the most straightforward process, according to Senior Home Care Edmonton AB, here are a few signs to look for.
1. More Frequent Illness
Stress can easily hamper the immune system's ability to fight off normal illnesses, such as the common cold. If you notice your aging parent getting sick more frequently, increased stress could be one underlying cause. A weakened immune system is dangerous for many reasons since serious illnesses can take advantage of your loved one's vulnerable state just as easily as minor sicknesses. Although not every sickness is a sign of stress, it's still important to keep in mind if you begin to notice a pattern.
2. Problematic Habits
Just like younger individuals, an aging parent may develop problematic habits as a result of increased stress. Some common bad habits associated with stress include nail biting, constant hand rubbing, lip biting, and other similar habits. While you may not see your loved one actively engaging in these habits, you'll likely notice their effects, including raw nails and skin. A tell-tale sign that these habits are caused by stress is if they are new habits that aren't connected to anything your loved one has done before.
3. Withdrawal
Another way that people deal with stress is by shutting down mentally and emotionally. For an aging parent, this can often manifest itself in unusual levels of withdrawal. While many older individuals may have some sort of withdrawal due to losses they have experienced or medical conditions they are dealing with, increased bouts of withdrawal could certainly be a sign of high levels of stress. Withdrawal should be taken seriously because it can lead to other mental health issues when left unchecked.
4. High Blood Pressure
For some individuals, high blood pressure is caused simply by age-related illnesses. However, if your aging parent has previously not struggled with their blood pressure, elevated blood pressure levels could indicate elevated levels of stress. When an individual is stressed, their heart rate increases and their blood vessels become smaller. Combined, these two responses increase the blood pressure in an individual. Although a temporary increase in blood pressure usually isn't problematic, an extended bout of high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, stroke and other problems.
5. Awareness Is Key
Home Care Edmonton understands the signs of stress can be subtle, especially in an otherwise healthy senior loved one. That's why it's important to be in tune with the health of your aging parent so that you can spot small changes that you need to address. Ultimately, most causes of stress can be eliminated or at least greatly reduced. This means that you have an opportunity to greatly improve the health of your aging parent and improve their overall outlook on life simply by understanding what's causing them stress and then working to improve that situation. It's definitely a process worth entering into.
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