Nursing Interventions: The Role Of Stress In Older Adults

As the body and mind age, health concerns result. Stress and coping mechanisms of the older adults is a concern for health professionals. Stress negatively effects mental health and physical health. The older adult encounters challenges and changes as his/her life progresses into old age. The elderly may no longer be in control of social, cognitive and physical changes that are experienced with aging. This loss of control can contribute to stress. Additional stressors that derive from aging are alterations in health, relocation, and death of loved ones. Without successful coping skills, stress can alter one’s health status. The use of nursing interventions is advantageous in leading the older adult into a healthier life. The nurse can provide

Just as one experiences from the death of a loved one, a transition into long-term care can require a mourning process. The older adult begins to become aware of the disconnect between themselves and society. Losing this stability and connection can lead to stress. In a study conducted about the elderly transitioning into long-term care, a participant states it “feels like you are a fish out of water”. Feelings of loss can arise. When entering long-term care, the older adult may become stress and grieve the loss of autonomy. Stress and sadness can develop from a loss of connections with friends and family. Stress can occur from the loss of privacy and dignity. The nurse in long-term care has interventions that can be implemented to aid the individual in coping with stress. The nurse must be empathetic and understanding. The nurse can encourage the resident to engage in new relationships. Building new connections helps the older adult cope with the loss of social relationships. The nurse providing privacy and remaining respectful helps preserve the individual’s autonomy. Allowing the older adult to have personal items aids in coping. Having memorabilia, and items of personal worth helps the mourning period of disconnection from society, mostly family and friends. The nurse supporting the residents transition into long-term care can improve health outcomes. Stress takes a toll on the body, mentally

Things such as hearing loss, and transitions into long-term care cause physical and mental stress on the elderly. Stress has been linked to health issues, specifically in the cardiovascular system. Stress can also cause issues relating to eating and sleep habits, as well as anxiety and depression. Stress can aggravate already present health concerns as well. The nurse’s role is to ease the stress in the patient’s life, and provide the patients with effective coping. The nurse can provide emotional support or direct the patient to groups that are designated for social support in areas he/she is struggling with. An example of this was the positive impact of social and emotional support in clients with hearing loss. The nurse can educate the client of mindful mediation exercises. Once the nurse implements patient education, her or she can implement these coping exercises in times of stress. Nurses especially in long-term care are in the position to implement coping skills to the client. The client is presented with new changes to their everyday life that can become stressful. Actions like emotional support, providing privacy, aiding them in becoming more autonomous, and implementing exercises can all be useful