Epilepsy Ontario :: Stress & Coping

Stress & Coping

The transition from adulthood to old age can be a very stressful time, just like every stage of life. People begin to experience the fading of responsibilities only to find that they will or already have become the responsibility of others. For someone who has grown used to being in control of life, putting his or her life in someone else's hands is a very discomforting thought.

Seniors with epilepsy may have difficulty accessing services which promote health maintenance because of decreased physical mobility, lack of transportation and limited finances. Physical changes that arise with aging, emotional support systems, and the degree of control and independence contribute to changes in a senior's self-perception.

Most Prevalent Causes of Stress among Seniors Today

Bereavement — Losing a husband, wife, close family member or friend is a common event in an older person's life. For seniors, the impact may be greater and harder to cope with because the length of time shared in the relationship.
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Grieving is a step that must be taken to recover from loss. It is a healing process that takes time. There is no easy way to cope when a loved one dies, although it helps to be surrounded by a network of friends and supporters.
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Retirement — There is a general belief that retirement means physical and mental decline. This is a myth. Most people find that, after retirement, they have more time to devote to themselves, so physical and emotional health actually improve right after retirement. For someone who has devoted much of their life to their job, retirement can be a particularly stressful time at first, when they find that their identity is no longer tied to professional accomplishments, as it had been.
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In retirement, one can have time to find new interests, make new friends and become reacquainted with family and friends. It is important to find new activities to replace those we outgrow, and to challenge ourselves both physically and mentally.
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Physical Signs of Aging — We are always advised to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to keep healthy and fit, yet a gradual physical decline with age is unavoidable. Due to physical limitations, seniors with epilepsy may find it hard to maintain self confidence, stay active and involved, and feel useful and needed.
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Seniors must accept that they cannot perform some functions as well as they used to. But the better you feel about yourself, the more likely it is that you will be able to cope with health problems in aging.
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Feelings of Loneliness — As time passes, one loses loved relatives and friends. These losses, combined with the reduced mobility that often comes with age, can make a person feel alone or depressed. With depression, one may experience symptoms of appetite loss, weight loss or gain, energy and motivation loss, irregular sleeping patterns, or perhaps suicidal thoughts. Some of the symptoms listed are common reactions that occur with aging, but a combination can be alarming.
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Severe depression must be treated as soon as possible. Seniors themselves can take part in their own healing; therapy comes in many forms. Seniors can choose help through counselling or group therapy, or joining one of many programs in the community that offer support as well as opportunities to make new friends.