Stress shows up for people in a variety of different ways, but many of them are recognizable, especially if you’re looking at the changes to your elderly family member’s behavior.

She Spends a Lot of Time in Denial

Denial can be very strong, especially if your elderly family member has been diagnosed with something that she perceives as terrible. By choosing denial, your elderly family member is hoping to avoid anything to do with her health and the decisions she may need to make.

She’s Withdrawing

Health stress can cause your senior to avoid the people that she loves and usually spends quite a bit of time around. This may be because she’s concerned about being a burden to other people or because she doesn’t want to be a “downer.” The problem is that she winds up feeling even more alone when she most needs the people she loves.

She’s More Angry than Usual

Dealing with health issues is frustrating. That frustration may often express as anger, especially at people who don’t really deserve it. Your elderly family member may feel safe expressing her frustration and anger at you and other people she’s close to because she knows that you’re not going anywhere.

She’s Sleeping All the Time or Even Not at All

Stress significantly affects sleep. You might start noticing that your elderly family member is starting to sleep all the time or she’s having trouble getting any sleep at all. Both can be an issue and a sign that your elderly family member’s stress is morphing into depression.

She’s Having a Tough Time Concentrating

When she’s stressed and worried about health issues, your aging adult is likely to have a tough time focusing on the conversations going on around her and the tasks she’s trying to complete. She may even find that she’s having to repeat the same tasks over and over.

If you’re still not sure you’re seeing signs of stress, talk to other people who spend a lot of time with your elderly family member. Senior care providers who see your aging adult every day, for example, can help you determine when your elderly family member is showing signs of too much stress.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Katy, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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