Contrary to popular belief, stress and anxiety don’t just impact the younger generation. Seniors also often experience these feelings, which can play a pivotal role in their overall health and wellbeing. Stress can begin to add up for seniors and have a negative impact on their quality of life. This doesn’t mean seniors and their caregivers cannot take control of this stress. With the right knowledge and support, stress can be significantly decreased or eliminated altogether.
End-of-Life Care
A huge source of stress for the older generation pertains to end-of-life care. With age, thoughts of mortality take on greater meaning. Elderly individuals may worry about whether their wishes will be respected, the care of a spouse or pets, and the burdens placed on family. Depression, anxiety, and isolation may occur as a result. An open conversation can address these concerns and lead to action to put all involved at ease, such as legally appointing someone to make decisions on behalf of the senior should he or she not be able to.
Stress is one of many components that can contribute to diminished mental and physical health in seniors. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Decreased Independence
A decrease in physical abilities can really hit home for those in their golden years. Not being able to do the things they once could causes emotional distress. Seniors may become angry, resentful, and even question their faith. They may seemingly give up on everything.
Helping an aging loved one accept the things that cannot be changed can aid in reducing stress. Acceptance may not always come easily, but through encouragement, adaptation, and options like in-home care that allow the senior to remain as independent as possible, it can be achieved.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Barrie seniors can depend on.
Financial Concerns
Even the best financial planning in their younger years may not necessarily prevent stress related to financial concerns as seniors get older. Chronic health conditions and other unforeseen life events can make finances tight. Seniors may worry about how they’re going to pay their bills or afford healthcare, and they may not fill prescriptions or obtain the health services they need. There are options available, and getting assistance can ease the worry. Obtaining information from government agencies and other resources to review with your loved one is a good way to get started.
Stress can result in mental, emotional, and physical challenges, but seniors don’t have to handle them alone. Barrie at-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. Rely on the professionals at Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today at 647-970-3803 to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.