© 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stress and The Elderly Chapter 18

Chapter Overview Understanding the elderly: some stats Understanding the elderly: some stats Adjustments in the later years Adjustments in the later years Exercise and the elderly Exercise and the elderly Retirement Retirement Caregiving Caregiving Death and dying Death and dying Grief Grief Interventions Interventions © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Elderly: Some Stats People over 65 years of age in this country: People over 65 years of age in this country: –In 1900, 3 million people (3.9% of population) –In 2006, 37.3 million people (12% of population) Elderly are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population Elderly are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population Estimates are for 40 million over 65 years by year 2010 Estimates are for 40 million over 65 years by year 2010 © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Did You Know? Less than 5% of the elderly live in nursing homes, and only 18% of those 85 years of age or older live in nursing homes Less than 5% of the elderly live in nursing homes, and only 18% of those 85 years of age or older live in nursing homes © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Adjustments in the Later Years Erikson (1963) identifies the “crisis” of late adulthood as acquiring a sense of integrity and fending off a sense of despair Erikson (1963) identifies the “crisis” of late adulthood as acquiring a sense of integrity and fending off a sense of despair Havighurst (1972) viewed life as a series of “developmental tasks” that one must master before moving forward Havighurst (1972) viewed life as a series of “developmental tasks” that one must master before moving forward © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Adjustments in the Later Years (cont.) Havighurst’s six developmental tasks of the elderly: Havighurst’s six developmental tasks of the elderly: 1.Adjust to decreased strength and health 2.Adjust to retirement and decreased income 3.Adjust to death of spouse 4.Establish an affiliation with one’s age group 5.Meet social/civic obligations 6.Establish satisfactory living arrangements © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Positive Changes Grandchildren Grandchildren Sometimes valued for knowledge and wisdom Sometimes valued for knowledge and wisdom Free time to pursue other interests Free time to pursue other interests Eustressors are changes that can have positive results © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Exercise and the Elderly Both male and female older adults can benefit from aerobic and strength training Both male and female older adults can benefit from aerobic and strength training Exercise helps maintain ability to live independently Exercise helps maintain ability to live independently Exercise reduces risk of dying from several diseases Exercise reduces risk of dying from several diseases Helps reduce blood pressure Helps reduce blood pressure Helps improve mood Helps improve mood © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Retirement Significant event of one’s life Significant event of one’s life Affects retirees’ families as well as themselves Affects retirees’ families as well as themselves Requires adjustment; must find other ways to support self-worth and status Requires adjustment; must find other ways to support self-worth and status May reduce income May reduce income Ageism becomes a reality Ageism becomes a reality © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Patterns of Adjustment Some retirees adapt to retirement better than others Some retirees adapt to retirement better than others Four patterns of adjustment are found: Four patterns of adjustment are found: 1.Maintenance 2.Withdrawal 3.Changed activities 4.Changed needs © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Caregivers for Elderly Provide care for limited seniors Provide care for limited seniors May experience stress of feeling captive to the needs of the elderly May experience stress of feeling captive to the needs of the elderly Signs are : Signs are : DenialDenial AngerAnger Social withdrawalSocial withdrawal AnxietyAnxiety DepressionDepression ExhaustionExhaustion InsomniaInsomnia IrritabilityIrritability Lack of concentrationLack of concentration Health problemsHealth problems © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Death and Dying Dying becomes a major stressor; some people don’t fear death as much as the process of dying Dying becomes a major stressor; some people don’t fear death as much as the process of dying Kubler-Ross’s stages of dying and stress: Kubler-Ross’s stages of dying and stress: –Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance Grief: Broken heart syndrome can result in disease and death Grief: Broken heart syndrome can result in disease and death © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Interventions Life-situation interventions Life-situation interventions Perception interventions Perception interventions Emotional arousal interventions Emotional arousal interventions Physiological arousal interventions Physiological arousal interventions © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Stress and the Elderly © 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter 18