Stress is a normal part of life, and your body should be equipped to deal with it. When confronted with a difficult situation, your body releases stress hormones that can help you cope. Once the situation is over, your body stops releasing the stress hormones.
Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies have difficulty with this last part of the process. This is why it’s so important for seniors and their caregivers to properly manage stress, especially in senior care communities.
Keep reading to learn more about the effects stress can have on a senior’s body, how stress can be reduced, and how the caregivers at Cape Elizabeth help our residents manage stress.
The Impact of Stress
The older we get, the more stress hormones (cortisol) we produce, and the greater the impact on our health. An overload of stress can result in weakened immune systems, not to mention high blood pressure and even heart disease.
In seniors with Alzheimer’s, or other dementias, the situation is even more serious, as these conditions tend to cause confusion and anxiety. According to a study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, “Elevated levels of cortisol in aging are associated with higher levels of psychosocial stress, poorer cognitive performance, and atrophy of memory-related structures in the brain such as the hippocampus.” Because of risks like these, caregivers must treat stress management with the same importance as providing nutritious meals, ensuring seniors get regular exercise, and correctly managing medications.
How We Reduce Stress
At Cape Elizabeth, we understand how relieving stress can alleviate many physical and mental health concerns, and we provide memory care assisted living in a stress-free environment. Our senior care community offers comfortable accommodations, beautiful outdoor spaces, chef-prepared meals, and plenty of purposeful activities. To help our residents who require memory care, we reduce anxiety with AspireCare, our lifestyle and therapy program that provides rhythm and familiarity for residents. This attention to stress management helps to reduce our residents’ anxiety, leading to not just a happier life, but a healthier one.
Find Out More – Contact Us Today!
At Cape Elizabeth, we aim to create a comforting space for our residents so that they can thrive. Learn more about how we reduce stress for seniors in our care by contacting us today. We would be happy to provide you with a tour of our assisted living community in Cape Elizabeth, ME, and answer any questions you might have.
