5 Challenges of Old Age and Solutions

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5 Challenges of Old Age and Solutions

Despite the many advances in modern medical science and the increased accessibility to health care services, some aspects of Old Age still remain a challenge.

1. Mental Decline
Changes in mental function that an older person may experience are not usually from dementia. Forgetfulness may not necessarily be ascribed to old age as it can occur in all age groups. While some memory lapses are common in later life, most elderly people live out their lives in complete control of their mental abilities.
Even though, younger people usually surpass older ones in the speed at which they recall specific facts, with appropriate education and training, healthy older brains continue to learn, to remember and improve specific abilities.

2. Loss of Sense of Usefulness/Self-worth
Many older individual fear they may no longer be seen as useful. Limitations that are due to poor health can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, and compulsory retirement can undermine one’s sense of self-worth.
By concentrating on what they are able to do, rather than being discouraged by what they can no longer do, elderly people can retain a sense of self-worth and usefulness. A UN report recommends a continuing growth through formal and informal learning, participation
in community organizations and religious activities, to keep the mind of the elderly active as they get older.

3. Depression
Depression among the elderly is not a part of the normal aging process. Prolonged clinical depression in contrast with normal sadness is a serious illness with potentially serious consequences. Untreated depression can worsen and become so entrenched that some patients may resort to suicide. Depression, as a mood disorder is a treatable
condition. If it persists the person may need to see a psychiatrist for professional advice and treatment.

4. Usual Confusion
Sudden usual confusion can be caused by conditions such as malnutrition, dehydration, anaemia, head injury, thyroid problem, vitamin deficiency, malaria fever, hypertension etc or even the side effect of medication. They should not be mislabelled as due to “old
age” or “senility” without proper medical examination and test, to establish the underlying cause, as this may be demeaning and discourage the elderly from seeking proper medical treatment.

5. Stigmatization
In many societies, the elderly are those who convey knowledge as well as moral and spiritual values, to succeeding generations. But, unfortunately in some cultures, the elderly are despised as “old school” and often times stigmatized or labeled as “witches” or “wizards” without any justifiable reason other than the fact that they have managed to live to an old age and are still up and doing. This can be very frustrating to the elderly people who desire to be loved and appreciated more than anything else.

Think Positive about Aging and Live Longer

Some older adults continue to feel good and stay active well into their senior years, while others appear to age rapidly and experience increased health problems.
Research shows that while genetics and overall physical health play a part in how people age, positive thinking can also play an important role.
It has been speculated that positive thinking may directly affect health via chemical and neural responses that help maintain an overall health balance.
Another possibility is that positive thinking can have a beneficial effect on people’s health by increasing a person’s intellectual, physical, psychological and social resources. Human beings were created as a free moral agent and therefore, have a choice about how and what they think, freedom of thought. You can decide to focus on thoughts that make you
feel good or focus on thoughts that make you feel bad. If you try to focus your energy on positive thinking rather than negative thinking and look for reasons to feel happy and hopeful every day; if you put your energy towards positive thinking and ways to make your life more enjoyable, you may discover that positive thinking really does help you to feel better.
Research shows that how you perceive aging affects how long you will live. Those with more positive perceptions of their own aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer. Therefore adjusting your perception of aging while you’re still young can have a tremendous effect on your life expectancy.
Several reasons are being given on how a positive attitude seems to lead to a longer life. One of them is that positive thinking about aging can increase a person’s will to live, thereby making him or her more resilient to illness and more proactive about health. Another explanation given is that mental stress of aging is lower for people who have a positive attitude.
“…gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness”

Proverbs 16:31
“Let his flesh become fresher than in youth let him return to the days of his youthful vigour”

Job 33:25
There are many great things about aging, but in the society, messages about aging tends to emphasize the negative aspect. In reality, people get better as they age, like fine wine. Experience, combined with maturity, gives older people great insight. Older people are more in touch with spirituality and the priorities which have true depth.
Older adults who may have limitations but are generous with their experience and resources are precious assets in their communities. By following a simple, healthy lifestyle, you can preserve your health and energy your whole life.

By Late Dr. Maxwell Ituen