There are a number of signs and symptoms that can signal stress in seniors. Stress can manifest in a number of emotional and physical ways, many of which can be lessened with awareness and proper planning. Knowing what to expect and making arrangements ahead of time can help to alleviate many of the stressful situations that seniors experience, doctors at the Mayo Clinic report.
Memory
Losing memory can be a stressful time for seniors, who often are worried about developing Alzheimer's disease and becoming a burden on their families. Signs of memory loss include forgetting important names and dates, driving mistakes and other hazardous behaviors such as leaving a stove on at night. Memory loss can be minimized by staying active, exercising regularly and keeping up with social activities. Being organized and limiting distractions also can help with maintaining an independent lifestyle
Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss can be a sign of stress and early stage dementia, reports the National Institutes of Health. While slow weight loss can be a positive sign that seniors are being health conscious and concerned with maintaining nutritional levels, when they stop eating or begin to metabolize their normal diet at a faster rate, researchers say that is a sure sign of something wrong medically. Maintaining a healthy diet and eating five small meals or three meals and snacks can help relatively active seniors stave off the stress that rapid weight loss puts on the body.
Depression
Many older adults who have not developed good coping skills or who have not prepared to deal with the changes that come with aging may exhibit signs and symptoms of depression. According to Help Guide, a nonprofit foundation that provides health care information, depression can be especially difficult for those seniors who don't have a strong support system. Seniors often become isolated and do not talk about their feelings of depression with their primary physician, who is mainly concerned with their physical well-being. Symptoms of depression can include alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide. Warning signs of depression can manifest in the form of sleeping more than usual, refusing to eat and appearing sad all the time. Older adults may complain of a lack of energy or talk about the future and their fate in increasingly negative terms. Depression can be treated with more social activities and attention from family members, antidepressant medication and a balanced diet.
