Stress can be particularly dangerous for older adults — it can even speed up the aging process and exacerbate existing health issues. For this reason, it’s important that caregivers recognize stress, the effect it’s having on the individual, and know of resources and other ways to address/reduce stress.
The National Council on Aging published a recent article that referenced research from the American Institute of Stress which includes a look at the connection between stress and inflammation.
According to the article, “… more stress equals more inflammation, and more inflammation when we’re stressed equals more (or worse) health problems. These include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, dementia, and cancer, to name a few. The same report notes that chronic stress also can reduce the effectiveness of certain vaccines in older adults, including for the flu and pneumonia. And stress actually accelerates the aging process itself.”
>>Click here to read the complete article from the National Council on Aging.
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