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Risks that come with age
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Taking care of the elderly requires a great deal of attention to details, as their health needs are different
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HIGH SPIRITS To laugh is to be healthy Photo: Satish H
Sharada looks after her 79-year-old mother. Ever since their father died, Sharada and her brother share the responsibility for their mother. The mother has come to stay for a longer period with her daughter now, and Sharada wants to make sure that her mother stays healthy and fit. In India, where we are culturally conditioned to shower our elders with respect and affection, the wisdom of the older member in the house contributes a great deal to family dynamics. Taking care of an old person requires a great deal of attention to details. We need to understand that their health needs are different. We also need to make their immediate environment safe for them.
Injury prevention
After the age of 65, the risk of falls and injuries increases. There are many factors:
* There are age-related changes in body posture, gait and visual ability. Some acute and chronic diseases can also affect the sensations in the legs and feet, and may affect co-ordination. The muscles also tend to weaken with age. All this contributes to instability.
* There are many medications that can cause instability and can lead to falls. Some medications for high blood pressure and heart disease can cause instability due to low blood pressure on getting up suddenly. Medications for sleep, depression and allergies can cause drowsiness and instability. Check with your physician if you find that a medication is causing these problems.
* Extrinsic factors that contribute to falls include poor lighting, obtrusive furniture, slippery floors, and loose floor coverings. One of the best things that can be done for older people in the family is to fix strong handrails in strategic positions in the bathroom so that they can have something to hold on to.
Avoiding depression
Older people tend to feel that they are unwanted and that they are a burden to the family. Bertrand Russell said it well: "To be happy in this world, especially when youth is past, it is necessary to feel oneself not merely an isolated individual whose day will soon be over, but part of the stream of life flowing on from the first germ to the remote and unknown future." It is important to involve them in the day-to-day transactions of the family. The children should be encouraged to spend time with them. The love between grandparents and grandchildren is a treasure, cherished forever in memory, long after the children have grown up or the grandparents are gone.
Mind exercises
Just as physical activity keeps the body strong, mental activity keeps the mind sharp and agile. That's why it's important to continue to learn and challenge oneself. You will find that the active, mature women you meet are those who keep challenging their minds. Learning new skills keeps aging at bay.
Regardless of age, an active brain produces new dendrites, which are connections between nerve cells that allow these cells to communicate with one another. This helps you store and retrieve information more easily, even if the grey matter is topped by grey hair!
Older people get very anxious about the fact that they forget many things. This is just a function of aging. It is important to accept it, and a sense of humour helps. In fact, George Burns, the octogenarian comedian put it succinctly: "By the time you're eighty years old you've learned everything. You only have to remember it!"
Encourage the elders in your family to read regularly and keep a journal. Very many older people are staying up-to-date on technology. They learn about computers and connect to the Internet. Using e-mail to stay in touch with friends and family adds zest to life.
Common problems
Itching: Because of aging, the skin can become very dry. This can lead to intense itching. After making sure that the itching is not due to any medical condition, simple measures can be taken to alleviate the problem. Use a good moisturising lotion regularly. After a bath, liquid paraffin can be applied all over the skin, to keep it soft. If the itching still persists, your physician may prescribe an antihistamine. Losing urine: Losing control over the bladder is a common problem associated with aging, particularly in women. Older women should make sure that they empty their bladders regularly. There are medications available which can treat this problem.
Vision and hearing: These should be checked regularly. Cataracts are common causes of poor vision.
Growing old is part of life. Aging gracefully and maintaining quality of life, is a challenge, which can be met with a little determination and resolve, seasoned with a large dose of acceptance.
GITA ARJUN
(The author is a Chennai-based obstetrician and gynaecologist with a special interest in women's health issues)
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