v Physical
(failing sight and hearing, poor dentition e.t.c)
(failing sight and hearing, poor dentition e.t.c)
v Mental
problems
problems
v Psychological
problems
problems
v Social
problem
problem
v Economic
problem
problem
A man’s life is normally divided
into five stages namely: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old
age.
into five stages namely: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old
age.
In each of these stages an
individual finds himself in different situations and faces different problems.
Old age is viewed as an unavoidable, undesirable and problem ridden phase of
life. Problems of aging usually appear after the age of 65 years.
individual finds himself in different situations and faces different problems.
Old age is viewed as an unavoidable, undesirable and problem ridden phase of
life. Problems of aging usually appear after the age of 65 years.
Psychological
problem of older people
problem of older people
Mental disorders are very much
associated with old age. Older people are susceptible to psychotic depressions.
The two major psychotic disorder of older people are;
associated with old age. Older people are susceptible to psychotic depressions.
The two major psychotic disorder of older people are;
v Senile
dementia (associated with cerebral atrophy and degeneration) and
dementia (associated with cerebral atrophy and degeneration) and
v Psychosis
with cerebral arteriole sclerosis (associated with either blocking or ruptures
in the cerebral arteries)
with cerebral arteriole sclerosis (associated with either blocking or ruptures
in the cerebral arteries)
It
has been observed that these two disorder accounts for approximately 80% of the
psychotic disorders among older people in the civilized societies.
has been observed that these two disorder accounts for approximately 80% of the
psychotic disorders among older people in the civilized societies.
Senile
dementia
dementia
Older people suffer from senile
dementia. They develop symptoms of poor memory, intolerance of change,
disorientation, restlessness, insomnia, failure of judgment, a gradual
formation of delusion and hallucinations, extreme-mental depression and
agitation e.t.c.
dementia. They develop symptoms of poor memory, intolerance of change,
disorientation, restlessness, insomnia, failure of judgment, a gradual
formation of delusion and hallucinations, extreme-mental depression and
agitation e.t.c.
Psychosis
with cerebral arteriosclerosis
with cerebral arteriosclerosis
This is accompanied by physiological
symptoms such as;
symptoms such as;
·
Acute indigestion
Acute indigestion
·
Unsteadiness in gait
Unsteadiness in gait
·
Small strokes resulting in
cumulative brain damage and
Small strokes resulting in
cumulative brain damage and
·
Gradual personality change
Gradual personality change
Conclusive seizures are relatively
common.
common.
Social
problem of the older person
problem of the older person
Older people suffer social losses greatly with
age. Their social life is narrowed down by loss of work associated, death of
relatives, friends and spouse and weak health which restricts their
participation in social activities. The home becomes the center of their social
life which gets to the interpersonal relationship with the family members. Due
to loss of most of the social roles they once performed, they are like y to be
lonely and isolated, severe chronic health problem enable them to become
socially isolated which results in loneliness and depression.
age. Their social life is narrowed down by loss of work associated, death of
relatives, friends and spouse and weak health which restricts their
participation in social activities. The home becomes the center of their social
life which gets to the interpersonal relationship with the family members. Due
to loss of most of the social roles they once performed, they are like y to be
lonely and isolated, severe chronic health problem enable them to become
socially isolated which results in loneliness and depression.
Mental problem of
the old people
the old people
Multiple social psychological and biological
factors level of mental health of a person at any point of time. As well as the
typical life stressors common to all people, many older adult loss their
ability to live independently because of limited mobility, chronic pain,
frailty or other mental or physical problems and require some form of long term
care. In addition, older people are more likely to experience events such as
bereavement, a drop in social-economic status with retirement or a disability.
All of these factors can result in isolation, loss of independence, loneliness
and psychological distress in older people.
factors level of mental health of a person at any point of time. As well as the
typical life stressors common to all people, many older adult loss their
ability to live independently because of limited mobility, chronic pain,
frailty or other mental or physical problems and require some form of long term
care. In addition, older people are more likely to experience events such as
bereavement, a drop in social-economic status with retirement or a disability.
All of these factors can result in isolation, loss of independence, loneliness
and psychological distress in older people.
Mental health has an impact on physical health
and vice versa. For example, older adults with physical health conditions such
as heart disease have higher rates of depression in an older person, heart
disease can negatively affect the outcome of the physical disease.
and vice versa. For example, older adults with physical health conditions such
as heart disease have higher rates of depression in an older person, heart
disease can negatively affect the outcome of the physical disease.
Older adults are also vulnerable to elder
abuse including;
abuse including;
¾
Physical
Physical
¾
Sexual
Sexual
¾
Psychological
Psychological
¾
Emotional
Emotional
¾
Financial
Financial
¾
Material abuse
Material abuse
¾
Abandonment
Abandonment
¾
Neglect
Neglect
¾
Serious losses of dignity and respect
Serious losses of dignity and respect
Current evidence
suggests that 1 in 10 older people experience elder abuse. Elder abuse can lead
not only to physical injuries, but sometimes long-lasting psychological
consequences, including depression and anxiety.
suggests that 1 in 10 older people experience elder abuse. Elder abuse can lead
not only to physical injuries, but sometimes long-lasting psychological
consequences, including depression and anxiety.
Economic problem of the older people
The majority of
older adults does not work and have fewer options for continued income. They
are at risk for rising cost of living, which may place them at an economic
disadvantage and potentially at lower levels of socio-economic status, e.g
retirement and income.
older adults does not work and have fewer options for continued income. They
are at risk for rising cost of living, which may place them at an economic
disadvantage and potentially at lower levels of socio-economic status, e.g
retirement and income.
Social-economic
status (SES) encompasses not just income but also educational attainment,
financial security and subjective perceptions of social status and social
class.
status (SES) encompasses not just income but also educational attainment,
financial security and subjective perceptions of social status and social
class.