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Stress and Aging

There are several risk factors that lead to stress in the elderly. Some include a past history of depressive illness, inadequate social support, and serious illnesses such as strokes and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

Some reports have suggested that life stresses may be related to late-life depression. There are also many internal and external stresses that many women are susceptible to in their 50s. The possibilities of intra- and interpersonal strains make this a time of insecurity about aging for many women. Some of these strains can be widowhood, divorce, declining income, aging, developmental changes, obstacles to successful aging, and role constancy.

There have been many studies that show your health is greatly affected by how you react to stressful events in life. Stress is the most common cause of a weakened immune system in healthy individuals. Stress also has emotional effects on an aging adult. Stress can lead aging adults into depression, especially aging women.

Aging adults can prevent the effects of stress on the body by

  • Receiving regular medical checkups
  • Exercising and keeping active
  • Maintaining a healthy diet
  • Taking short naps in the middle of the day
  • Spending time with friends and family and maintaining a strong social life
  • Being married, because single aging adults tend to have much higher stress levels

Unfortunately, stress is inevitable within everyone's life, but you can take preventative meaures, such as those listed above, to lessen the effects of stress in your life.

Workplace Options. (Reviewed 2019). Stress and aging. Raleigh, NC: Author.

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