How we cope with stress is a function of our physical and emotional well-being. Stress is a physical and psychological reaction to a perceived threat in our environment, whether real or imaginary, positive or negative. Coping with stress can be a major challenge. Physical reactions to a stressor include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and dryness of the mouth. Psychological reactions include worry, disturbed sleep and eating habits, and anxiety.
In the face of stress, an individual’s coping skills are tested. How an older adult has dealt with stressful events in their past will generally predict how they will face stresses in the future. One important point for the older adult is that not only can there be more stressful events for this age group. But, the older adult does not always have the internal or external resources to cope effectively. Physical stamina may have been compromised with illness and social and family support may have weakened. Additionally, the person’s outlook, motivation, and hope may be waning.
Another complicating factor to keep in mind is when multiple losses and stressful events have occurred in close succession. This might include a relocation, which is then followed by the love of a beloved pet. Then, adding a decline in driving ability collectively tax the person’s coping skills and ability to recover successfully. In other words, the cumulative effect of multiple stresses cannot be underestimated.
Coping with Stress
In addition to the toll that stress takes on a person’s physical functioning, there are other results. Stress may tax the individual’s sense of mastery, outlook, and self-worth. If unable to recover from a major event before another one occurs, increased feelings of helplessness and anticipation of more failure can rise rapidly.
Older adults with poor support and declining physical health can be more susceptible to depression and a sense of helplessness. Not infrequent events like widowhood, retirement and loss of a sense of purpose, moving to a new home, coupled with something like a hip fracture following a fall take their toll. Coping with stress is not insurmountable, with support, guidance, and problem-focused skill building.