Signs That Senior Citizens Are Stressed, According to Home Care Providers
Stress – it’s something that we’ve all dealt with. There are many proven methods for reducing stress in your everyday life, but stress levels may increase later in life as you get older. According to the Harvard Medical School, stress becomes harder to deal as we get older. Home care providers, by their very nature, can oftentimes be the first people to spot signs of stress. Here are some of the signs that a senior might be stressed out and how home care might be able to help them.
Sleep Problems
Problems falling and staying asleep are a hallmark sign of stress in all people, and this is especially true when it comes to the elderly. If you or a home care provider notices that a senior has been dealing with unexpected bouts of insomnia, check in with them and see if there is something new in their life that is stressing them out.
Change in Eating Habits
Overeating or not eating at all can be a sign that a senior is managing their stress in an unhealthy way. If you notice that your elderly loved one has changed their eating habits recently, investigate further to see if something in their life has changed. In addition to the stress affecting their health in different ways, not eating right can further exacerbate health problems that seniors are already facing.
Irritability & Mood Swings
Sudden mood swings are one of the most common signs that an elderly person is dealing with stress. People tend to lash out and are more easily agitated when they are stressed, and if you sense this coming from a senior citizen, consider digging in to see what’s going on in their life and adding to their stress.
Being stressed out is a fact of life - it’s a feeling that is going to come and go over the years. But as people you care for get older, it is especially important to point out the signs that they’re dealing with stress because it can affect their overall health. By paying close attention to a senior citizen’s signs of stress, you can be there for them when they need it most.