1. Stress and Coping in Later Life Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

2.  Explain the differences among aging groups  Identify stresses relevant to aging families  Use the ABC-X model to identify factors that may lead to crisis in aging families  Identify caregiver burdens  Compare and contrast specific stressors experienced by older adults in young-old, middle-old, and old-old periods of life, and coping strategies and resources that may or may not be available in theses stages. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

3.  Study of aging families pertains to entire family system with emphasis on relationships, transitions and social support  Not all older adults follow traditional life- course  Because of diversity in families, scholars need to recognize many types of families that impact older individuals and their aging experience. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

4.  Relationships of older family members  Transitions in later life  Retirement  Loss of spouse/ remarriage  Social support networks of older family members  Coinciding joyful and painful events  Families exist within larger social and cultural context. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

5.  The demographic transition  Lower mortality  lower fertility  older population  Baby boomers move through the age pyramid  Increases in life expectancy  Medical improvements  Decreased child mortality = more adults survive to old age  Decreased fertility  Fewer children, Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

6.  Young Old (65-74)  Middle Old (75-84)  Oldest Old (85 +)  Fasted growing group  Centarians (100 +)  Implications – differences among groups Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

7.  Life Expectancy  Males – 74 years  Females – 80 years  Income  Females more often in poverty  Males higher Social Security payments  Social Support and Intergenerational Connectedness  Mothers more connected to children than fathers  Married women more than divorced  Varies by family situation too  Divorced / never married fathers even less support Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

8.  Stress confronted at multiple systemic levels  Macrosystem level  Cultural context of aging, social security, Medicare  Exosystem Level  Community environment, formalized health care, insurance companies, professional agencies  Meso or Microsystem Level  Immediate living environment, neighborhood resources, transportation accessibility, renegotiation of family roles Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

9.  Critical difference between stress in later life and earlier stress relates to types of stress encountered  Transitions to grandparenthood, retirement, death of loved ones, chronic illness, becoming caregiver  Greater flexibility and freedom.  Dependence on others for care or loss of independence  Older adults report lower frequency of daily stressors.  Young old – still make majority of own decisions, engaged with family and community.  Age increase often leads to unanticipated life events – frailty, disability, cognitive impairment Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

10.  Increased health limitations and other changes mean aging family system must adapt to new demands and role transitions  Caregiving  Providing transportation  Taking care of finances  Listening to fears or concerns.  Factors that influence family’s ability to respond to stress  Family Integration  Family adaptability  Advantages of aging families  Established patterns of interaction  Established coping strategies Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

11.  Three major categories of stressors  Health and physical functioning  Personal and social problems  Difficulties faced by family members  Death of child or spouse, institutionalization of spouse  Least stressful event perceptions  Spouse’s retirement  Own retirement  Increase in paid or volunteer responsibilities Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

12.  Normative event  Experienced by majority  Males and females  Loss of identity of working individual can be stressful  Reduced psychological well being, low morale, strained marriage  1/3 retirees report retirement living is stressful  Financial challenges  Stock market trends, personal retirement portfolio  boredom  Retirement can be long anticipated  Can involve change of residence  Can lead to increased or decreased marital satisfaction Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

13.  Informal  Instrumental support  Emotional Support  Often spouse, if living. Next: daughter/ daughter-in-law  Providing care difficult and stressful  Demands on time, physical strength, mental endurance  Depression, loneliness, anger, guilt, change of roles  Dementia caregivers- ambiguous loss Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

14.  Stress extends beyond immediate caregiver  Sandwich generation  Recipients of care may experience stress associated with care giving and loss of independence  Other family members may be asked to increase responsibilities to accommodate caregiving  Scheduling, routines, rules may change. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

15.  “A” – Family definition of event  “B” - resources available  “C” - Perception of event as stressful  Most powerful variable in explaining family stress in aging families.  Critical to understand what older adults identify as a stressful event or transition  “X” – crisis or adaptation Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

16.  Stressful events include: health, interpersonal relationships, financial strains, work-related issues  Often multiple stressors at one time  Various methods used to cope  Problem –focused coping  Attempt to establish semblance of control over uncontrollable situation  Emotion-focused coping  More cognitive response through denial, detachment, reinterpretation of events, application of humor or faith  Positive reappraisal  Reframing of situation to see positive characteristics Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

17.  Process of adaptation to stresses and changes for elderly  Based on 3 key interacting components:  Selection  Age related conscious reduction in functioning because of age-related constraints  Example – choosing to give up activities that are difficult to focus on those that are more possible  Optimization  Work to improve activities that can still be done  Compensation  Individuals’ use of psychological, technical, or environmental aids to assist in maintaining social and physical involvement with world Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

18.  Social support for aging loved ones  Aid Tangible types of assistance  Affect  Emotional support provided through expressing care/ concern for aging family member  Affirmation  Sharing of values and acknowledging importance of aging family member.  Social relationships, social support behaviors, and social policies critical to positive adjustment of older adults. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

19.  Use the ABC-X model to identify factors that may lead to crisis in aging families  Identify a “case study” example from a family or friend of someone in group.  Use ABC-X, then identify possible crisis  Example: someone widowed, spouse institutionalized, retirement, raising grandchildren, etc. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications

20.  Demographic changes have lead to an aging population  Later life is a time of possible challenges and stressors for families and family members  Stresses can be effectively managed through coping techniques. Prepared by Carrie LeFevre Sillito,Ph.D. © Sage Publications