This paper presents an overview of various types of stress that occur in everyday life as it relates to different occasions, specifically work/organization/interpersonal in nature. The paper reflects the nature of stress in the form of a personal account discussing the source of stress, its characteristics and the reactions to these stressors (e.g., physiologically, emotionally, behaviorally). Although the paper reflects types of situations that are found to be problematic, it is not meant to be a confessional, nor a demand to discuss highly personal events. Four of these occurrences are discussed and analyzed from the perspective of what causes these stressful situations and the reactions to these stressors.
Rita is a successful acute care nurse in her mid-thirties who has recently gone through major stress-inducing situations. These involve having elderly parents who need caring and looking after, especially her elderly father who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, subsequent problems with personal feelings of self-worth, and its impact on her work situation, especially in dealing with her supervisor.
Family members and friends continue to provide the major portion of long-term care of the elderly in society. More than 7 million households are actively involved in providing care for older adults. These households are part of the support for 5 million older Americans who require assistance with day-to-day tasks in order to remain in the community.
As the American population continues to age, the number of older persons with health impairments and associated dependencies grows. Consequently, the ranks of family caregivers whose assistance enables their elderly relatives to live in the community, i.e. outside of nursing homes, increases as well. The degenerative and irreversible course of old age, and its varied symptoms, typically results in family caregivers becoming increasingly engulfed by the needs of the imp...