Stress and Illness are closely linked. Research has shown that both Mental and Physical Illness results in stress and can increase health problems in the Elderly. An elderly person is less able to cope with additional physical or psychological stressors, which take energy away from them and decrease the ability to Cope, Learn, Function, and Follow through with the Plan of Care.
Decreasing the number of Stressors can Prevent Illness and improve an elderly person ability to cope with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s).
Stress has been shown to have negative effects on the elderly body system. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous systems (Fight-or-Flight Response) an elderly person under HIGH levels of stress is at increase of Angina, Heart Rhythm Abnormalities, and even Heart Attack.
Stress is in connection with Hypertension and may even increase the risk of having a Stroke. The Immune System is affected, increasing susceptibility to infections such as Pneumonia. Stress may also exacerbate sleep problems and often trigger painful Headaches and Muscle Spasms.
Elderly people differ in their ability to cope with stress. Those who do not learn to cope with normal day-to-day stressors cannot function normally when the stress is HIGH and the Elderly are at a very HIGH risk for becoming Physically and Mentally Ill.