As you grow older, your body, informs you in its language that some of its parts are not functioning optimally. We generally do not take these signs seriously thinking that this is part and parcel of getting old. Now this is where we go wrong, that is we presume that nothing needs to be done. What needs to be done is to take each sign, each indication of failure or suboptimal output seriously, investigate it to find its cause and then treat it. This will help you in slowing the process of ageing. Listed below are some common issues that affect elderly people which are taken rather lightly by seniors themselves and their family members:
PAIN
Commonest of ailments that is often ignored unless it is severe and intensive. Please do not make this mistake, it directly affects the quality of life and spoils the present moment. Taking it seriously will help you locate the cause and enable its treatment which may even turn out to be non-medical. Its remedy may even be available at home.
FALLS
They are the single most widespread calamity that affects seniors and their ability to lead a life of independence with ageing. It is also the leading cause of their death. A major factor that is not given sufficient attention is the state of infrastructure at home. It invariably does not cater to the safety of elders. Lack of bar rails in toilets, slippery and even wet floors, poor lighting, absence of night lamps, poorly designed stairs, uneven surfaces, presence of rugs and carpets that demands negotiation while walking, cluttered and filled rooms not allowing easy access etc. create conditions for easy tripping ang falling. These factors when added to poor balance and insufficient strength which elders are prone to make the situation ripe for a fall.
Poor balance and inadequate strength in elders do not happen suddenly. Plenty of warning is available as both of these only creep up in time. In its early stages poor balance can be improved with simple exercises. Strength adequacy can be obtained with a combination of proper diet and exercising. Bones tend to get weaker with age and any fall leads to severe injuries. Repair of fractured bones and their healing pose further problems. That is why falls must be prevented by ensuring timely preventive actions.
FORGETFULNESS
As we age the neurons in our brain reduce in numbers. Lesser usage or minimal challenges to the brain also affects its performance. To add further misery, lesser or disturbed sleep affects the memory functions of the brain. It is the short term memory that is most affected. These factors then add up to give the elders a feeling that brain is decaying. There may be some medication that may be necessary. Please address the issue with the help of your healthcare provider.
Using the brain more and often challenging it brain games, puzzles, Sudoku, word games, etc., is known to reverse this process. Other different activities like writing with left hand, wearing your watch on the wrong wrist, walking backwards, and such other activities will keep the brain healthy and functioning well.
ISOLATION/LONELINESS
This could be caused by physical, emotional or social factors. Other family members should talk the elders and find out what is the root cause. And then address the root cause. Very often the remedies are simple and require very minor changes in the environment and lifestyle. But left unattended this could easily lead to state of depression.
DEPRESSION
This is very serious issue and definitely needs medical help. Attempting to solve at caregiver level may not work out at all. Sometimes very simple medications can alleviate the problem. Please seek medical aid. There is tendency amongst people to treat depression as part of the process of growing old. It certainly does not belong there. Proper medical care is needed.
URINARY INCONTINENCE
A very common problem amongst the seniors with ageing that is not given proper attention and ignored as if old age implies the presence of this issue. There is always a medical reason behind it and all such conditions are treatable. Please consult the Doctor and locate the reason for it and handle it. Ignoring the problem may give rise to additional psychological trauma and affect mental state of the elder.
POLYPHARMACY
Most seniors with ageing suffer from multiple medical problems and the medication prescribed is invariably from different specialists. This may give rise to unwanted conflicts between the medicines and unwarranted side effects. This can be easily avoided if you share your medicine regime with doctor who is prescribing the medication at that instant. The specialist will always take into consideration the complications possible and avoid conflict by suitably amending his prescription. In case this was not done then a physician must be consulted to weed out the problem areas.
I hope the above given information will be helpful in ageing gracefully.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th March 2024