Abstract Objective: To describe the stressful factors experienced by hospitalized elderly from the perspective of the Neuman Systems Model (NSM). Method: A descriptive qualitative study performed with 12 elderly hospitalized in a medical clinic of a teaching hospital in Rio Grande do Sul. Data production occurred from March to June 2016, through narrative interviews, subsequently transcribed, organized and submitted to the thematic analysis of Minayo, based on the NSM. Results: The stressors factors were classified in: intrapersonal - related to the clinical and psychosociocultural conditions resulting from the disease; interpersonal - resulting from the relationships between elderly and health professionals; and extrapersonal - resulting from the institutional infrastructure, standards and routines. Conclusion and implications for practice: It is important that nursing professionals assist the elderly in the hospitalization process, aiming at minimizing the stressors experienced at this time of frailty and often of dependence, in order to preserve their physical-emotional stability and well-being.