Loss of Independence Losing physical functions and having to rely on others for daily care is the biggest fear among seniors. According to a 2010 study from the Disabled Living Foundation, more seniors fear losing independence than dying.
Mental and physical decline, losing loved ones, not being able to financially support oneself or loved ones, and becoming a burden or dependent on family members and friends are some of the reasons people fear getting old.
Because falls are the number one risk factor for the senior age group, older adults need to take extra safety precautions to account for physical changes of aging, such as declining hearing and vision, bone density loss, balance issues, and more.
Stress in adults, especially older adults, has many causes. You may experience it as a result of managing chronic illness, losing a spouse, being a caregiver, or adjusting to changes due to finances, retirement, or separation from friends and family.
As you age, some fears dissipate yet fears about being over-the-hill can creep into your daily life. Fear of not living up to expectations, fear of taking risks, fear of retirement, and a fear of the future. It's an uncomfortable feeling because it means you are no longer in control.
Fear of the unknown is universal, but it seems to take form most commonly in three basic human fundamental fears: Fear of Death, Fear of Abandonment or Fear of Failure.
Common fears about aging can lead to anxiety. Many older adults are afraid of falling, being unable to afford living expenses and medication, being victimized, being dependent on others, being left alone, and death. Older adults and their families should be aware that health changes can also bring on anxiety.
Those aged 18-33 years old suffer the highest levels of stress in the nation, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Research suggests that common factors affecting stress among the elderly are family relationship, financial status, social or community environment, physical health and chronic illness 7– 10.
Difficulty with everyday tasks and mobility
A person's mobility and dexterity will naturally decline as they age, which makes completing everyday tasks more difficult. This can gradually cause people to care for themselves and prevents them from being social, pursuing interests, or taking part in activities they enjoy.
Your Bones, Joints, and Muscles
Your muscles get weaker, and the tendons -- which connect muscles to your skeleton -- get stiffer. This will decrease your strength and flexibility. In your 70s, you might lose an inch or two off your height as disks in your back flatten.
Comfort. There's no place like home, and wherever senior citizens stay, their comfort should always be a top priority. As they start to spend more time indoors than they used to, physical comfort becomes more and more important.
Games and puzzles are a fantastic source of fun times. There are so many to choose from and most can be played in groups with visitors, one-on-one for quality time together, and solo. Try some classic games or card games, jigsaw puzzles, or crossword puzzles.
After age 30, people tend to lose lean tissue. Your muscles, liver, kidney, and other organs may lose some of their cells. This process of muscle loss is called atrophy. Bones may lose some of their minerals and become less dense (a condition called osteopenia in the early stages and osteoporosis in the later stages).
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), those people aged 18-33 years old suffer the highest levels of stress in the nation, In an assessment measuring stress, the millennial generation scored a 5.4 (on a scale of 1 to 10), compared to the national average of 4.9.
Elderly people may be jealous of your social life, have low self-esteem, or just feel lonely. Their quest for attention may manifest as anger, just like a young child would when they are not sure how else to communicate.
Cognitive decline can cause aging adults to have sudden outbursts of anger. Symptoms of cognitive decline include memory loss and difficulty understanding basic information. Your loved one might become upset if he or she can't recall a particular word or remember the name of a familiar place.
It sounds crazy, but that's what people say. Is there any truth to this? Certainly the vast majority of people rank fear of public speaking as number one – 75% according to the National Institutes of Mental Health.
We are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. A 1960 study evaluated depth perception among 6- to14-month-old infants, as well as young animals.
Being weak or being perceived as weak – one of the biggest fears for men, as they tend to believe they are not supposed to be weak or even to be perceived as such. Being irrelevant – fear and stress in wanting their lives to mean something.