When a child is born, he has no knowledge of the world. There are no weights on his shoulder and no care at all. Just a sweet, innocent child. But as he grows older, he is expected to do more, not only for himself but also for the sake of those who surround him. This is where the burden starts. Most people, nowadays, are facing serious problems which are not taken seriously by the world. Whether it be health, financial, status or personal, these are being shouldered by the majority of the world’s population.
There are five stages of life. Infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. We find ourselves in a different situation as we grow and we do all that we can just to survive the struggles in life. But for starters (those who are in younger age), facing these problems can be quite a challenge yet worth experiencing moments in life. They mostly take in the problems as a thrilling adventure with no worries whether they’ll be able to succeed or not.
But for those at a late age, it is a widely different perspective. The problem becomes serious matters, gets tougher and harder to face because of the changes they’ve already undergone. Most of the time we take these as overreacting, exaggerations and just blues of the old people but we don’t understand why they act and think like that. But come and think of it, what might be your reaction towards a problem thrown at you when you reach your 60’s or ages above it? Wouldn’t you be pitying yourself when you cannot do the things you usually do by yourself? Wouldn’t it be nice to sustain your needs without feeling like you’ve been pestering somebody else to provide it for you?
Here are some of the problems you might also be encountering in your late age.
Physiological
Old age is the stage of life where most experience physical decline. Though one's condition depends upon inherited problems, daily habits, faulty diet, gluttony, malnutrition, infections, inadequate rest/overwork, emotional stress, endocrine disorders and environmental or weather conditions are common secondary causes.
As their body gets affected by the above-said factors, more changes are being experienced by elderlies. Their skin loses elasticity, becomes rough and wrinkly. Their veins usually show out and their skin color becomes pale as the age advances. Due to teeth decaying or loss of teeth, their jaws become smaller and have saggy skins. The loss of dentures affects the way they speak and eat. Their cheeks also start to sag and wrinkle while their lids become baggy. The bones harden as they age, become brittle and are easy to break and be fractured. Also, the changes in their nervous system influence the brain. Some soft organs are to deteriorate particularly the liver and spleen.
The aged are also prone to heart and respiratory diseases. Also accident-prone, due to their slow reaction to danger as results of sense organ malfunction and declining mental abilities and motor skills.
Psychological
As it is present in the younger ages, psychological problems such as anxieties and different types of disorders. There are two common disorders present in old aged people namely; Cerebral Arteriosclerosis and the other Dementia. This covers approximately 80% of the older adult population in civilized societies.
Social
Social losses come greatly with age. This is because the elders and the extremely young are the most vulnerable age groups in society. Social problems that are commonly encountered by old ages include isolation, dependency, financial instability, at times poverty, lack of access to appropriate health care, and so on.
Mostly due to loss of social roles they once performed or sometimes because of chronic health problems, they likely feel rejected and lonely. They rely on others which decreases their independence, and others that restricts them from participating in the social life.
Emotional
Of course, we all know the roles that adults play in the family. But as they grow older, their tight grip to that role and control over the family also starts to fade. They still do want to get involved in family matters and business issues but due to the generation gap, the younger ones do not seek the advice and do not pay attention to their opinions anymore. Instead of sympathizing and showing care to what the elderly may feel, they tend to build up their own position in the family and start to assert their rights and power. This creates restrictions and boundaries between the family which leaves the old age feeling neglected and isolated.
Another emotional problem factor is the loss of a spouse during old age. This can be tremendously hazardous for one since they’ve been into a routine with their partner for the long run then suddenly the routine starts to break off. Death of a spouse causes loneliness and makes older people blue which makes them much more emotionally weak and in need of intense support from the left family.
Financial
This problem is obviously caused by the loss of a job or retirement at a late age. Though they do receive pensions, medicines and daily needs swallow it and make it hard to meet the always rising cost of living. With this, they are reversed into a state of being dependent on once the one they depend on.
The old age may be the period of physical decline, depressions and anxieties, disappointments, isolation, disease, and loneliness. Nevertheless, elderlies give additional sources of affection and enrichment when it comes to family. Some of them have learned through ages and their experiences may be also helpful when it comes to social matters like a business and dealing with different kinds of people. Despite all the problems old age may encounter, we must keep them active whether it be a personal or social good. We still need to show them respect and maybe give back the care, love, support or guidance they have given us in reverse for they need it most at this stage of their life.
Millennium Home Visiting Nurses
12221 Parklawn Dr. Suite 205
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 355-0260
Fax: (301) 355-0262
Mon-Sun: 9:00AM-5:00PM
info@myvisitingrn.com
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