Stress

The concept of stress was pioneered by Han Selye who showed that there is a biological response to a wide range of unpleasant experiences. In stressful situations, our body adapts by increasing our blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, metabolism, and blood flow to muscles. Our bodies are supposed to respond like this, but when stress is prolonged or triggered frequently it can threaten health and well-being.

Over time, the effects of chronic stress on the body can compound. Stress can damage the body by causing heart disease, ulcers, loss of memory, diminished immune function and even obesity. For example, Ronald Glaser, an immunologist, found that people caring for spouses with dementia had diminished antibody production in response to a flu vaccine compared to the control group. Similarly, studies show that men who report high levels of stress are more likely to have heart attacks or strokes. Chronic stress also contributes to problems such as insomnia, backaches, headaches and depression.

A number of major life events occur in late life that involve losses and cause considerable stress. Examples of these stressors include adjusting to widowhood, retirement, chronic illness and disability, decisions about driving a car, relocation (e.g. assisted living, retirement community, nursing home), and death of friends and family. The level of stress in older adults is measured using a scale such as the Strokes/Gordon Stress Scale (SGSS). The SGSS is a 104-item scale that ranks the life events that are relevant to older adults by the amount of stress created. The items are scored to create a stress score which can be used to measure the level of stress an older adults is experiencing. The table below shows how some stressors are ranked in this scale.

In studies on stressors, no single life event that occurs seems to have a greater negative impact on older adults. Older adults may experience more chronic stress from the daily hassles of life related to their health, home and relationships, than from major life events (Blazer, 1998).

The ability of older adults to cope effectively with stressful events is influenced by the meaning of the event, the timing of the event, and the degree of anticipation of the event. The meaning of a life event can differ for each individual. The timing of events affects ability to cope; when several stressful events occur together or within a short period of time, it is more detrimental. The amount of anticipation affecting coping; less anticipated events are more stressful.

The availability of financial resources and social support can buffer the effects of stress. Inadequate financial assets increase the likelihood of difficulty in coping. Social support can also significantly and directly reduce stress. However, it is not simply the size and diversity of the social network that matters as was previously thought. The quality of the relationships is important for a positive mediating effect.

Response to stress is affected by personal coping styles vary with personality, culture, experience. The way in which we cope is influenced more level of maturity than by age itself. People with limiting coping skills are more at risk for ineffective coping in some situations. Studies suggest that older adults are more likely to use passive and emotion-focused coping styles while younger adults use more active and problem-solving styles. However, these differences may have more to do with the types of stress encountered than with age differences. Older adults may face less changeable types of problems than younger adults. Religious or spiritual beliefs and practices are an important coping behavior for many older adults.