Problem of the aged can be defined as the ill effect of the ageing
process on the aged. Various problem of the aged are as follows the various
problem of aged are associated with the degenerative changes, which result as
part of the ageing process these
degenerative processes affect various systems of the body and include
changes in the:
process on the aged. Various problem of the aged are as follows the various
problem of aged are associated with the degenerative changes, which result as
part of the ageing process these
degenerative processes affect various systems of the body and include
changes in the:
i.
Muscular-
skeletal system leading to reduced mobility
Muscular-
skeletal system leading to reduced mobility
ii.
Teeth –
leading to poor dentition
Teeth –
leading to poor dentition
iii.
Eyes
leading to poor/failing sight
Eyes
leading to poor/failing sight
iv. Auditory organ leading to poor hearing
v.
Brain
leading to mental changes of disorder e.g.
dementia etc as disturbed in session.
Brain
leading to mental changes of disorder e.g.
dementia etc as disturbed in session.
Medical problems
These include:
i.
Poor
nutrition:
Poor
nutrition:
The
aged are usually faced with the problem of poor nutrition which results from a
number of factors like:
aged are usually faced with the problem of poor nutrition which results from a
number of factors like:
i.
Reduced
income as most of the elderly are retired from their jobs
Reduced
income as most of the elderly are retired from their jobs
ii.
Poor
dentition, which make chewing difficult
Poor
dentition, which make chewing difficult
iii.
Lack of
incentive to prepare food
Lack of
incentive to prepare food
iv. Food faddism that is craving for as particular type
of food, which may not have enough nutritional value
of food, which may not have enough nutritional value
v.
Reduced
appetite
Reduced
appetite
Mental problem
This may manifest in various ways e.g. senile dementia, which is a type
of memory loss but in this case, recent events are usually forgotten while past
ones are retained in some, this is due to degeneration of the brain cells,
which may lead to a general change in outlook some, agitate a lot . Depression
is another mental problem. At times the aged may get depressed over little
things and this may be associated with occasional outbursts of aggressiveness
which makes it difficult for young people to live with them they may forget to
take their meals, bath or even drugs as a result of depression
of memory loss but in this case, recent events are usually forgotten while past
ones are retained in some, this is due to degeneration of the brain cells,
which may lead to a general change in outlook some, agitate a lot . Depression
is another mental problem. At times the aged may get depressed over little
things and this may be associated with occasional outbursts of aggressiveness
which makes it difficult for young people to live with them they may forget to
take their meals, bath or even drugs as a result of depression
Other special mental problem includes:
Alcohol: One does not
usually think of alcoholism as being a problem related to ageing. However, it
has been estimated that 25% of the aged admitted to mental hospitals suffer
from alcoholism to a significant degree of this group, one fourth began
drinking heavily after age 60 due to stress associated with aging.
usually think of alcoholism as being a problem related to ageing. However, it
has been estimated that 25% of the aged admitted to mental hospitals suffer
from alcoholism to a significant degree of this group, one fourth began
drinking heavily after age 60 due to stress associated with aging.
Drug
dependence: The elderly frequently become dependent on the
central nervous system depressants and
tranquiller which are prescribed because
they often complain of insomnia and pain such complaints usually vanish appropriate
assistance and thoughtful attention are given
dependence: The elderly frequently become dependent on the
central nervous system depressants and
tranquiller which are prescribed because
they often complain of insomnia and pain such complaints usually vanish appropriate
assistance and thoughtful attention are given
Suicide there is a very high suicide rate among the elderly while men
who appear directly related to depressive reaction and ill health. Suicide
attempts are more successful among the older adults than the young, and the
method used show the seriousness of intent (hanging, shooting and drowning).
who appear directly related to depressive reaction and ill health. Suicide
attempts are more successful among the older adults than the young, and the
method used show the seriousness of intent (hanging, shooting and drowning).
Accident proneness: The aged are usually accident prone and the reason
is very obvious. It mainly due to the poor sight, poor living stiffness of the
joints, which predispose them to fractures resulting from falls.
is very obvious. It mainly due to the poor sight, poor living stiffness of the
joints, which predispose them to fractures resulting from falls.
i.
Elimination problem: The aged are faced with the problem of elimination of
faeces and urine. There is problem of
constipation due to:
Elimination problem: The aged are faced with the problem of elimination of
faeces and urine. There is problem of
constipation due to:
·
Reduced
activities
Reduced
activities
·
Reduced
mobility
Reduced
mobility
·
Poor
eating habits
Poor
eating habits
ii.
Urinary problems: They manifest as urinary incontinence usually due
to infection. Also there could be retention with overflow and such related
urinary problems.
Urinary problems: They manifest as urinary incontinence usually due
to infection. Also there could be retention with overflow and such related
urinary problems.
Other medical problems include:
·
Hypertension
Hypertension
·
Congestive
cardiac failure
Congestive
cardiac failure
·
Indigestion
Indigestion
·
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis
·
Back
pains
Back
pains
·
Insomnia
Insomnia
·
Obesity
Obesity
·
Anemia
etc
Anemia
etc
·
Dental/eyes
problem
Dental/eyes
problem
Social economic problems
i.
The
social life of the aged is generally poor due to the series of problem
mentioned earlier. The main factor is loneliness, which result from of movement and inability to visit
friends. There aggressive attitude of movement and inability to visit friends
there aggressive attitude also make it difficult for people to stay with or
visit them, even relations who take them home find it difficult to cope with
this behavior another source of loneliness is loss of their partners e.g. if
the husband or wife has died.
The
social life of the aged is generally poor due to the series of problem
mentioned earlier. The main factor is loneliness, which result from of movement and inability to visit
friends. There aggressive attitude of movement and inability to visit friends
there aggressive attitude also make it difficult for people to stay with or
visit them, even relations who take them home find it difficult to cope with
this behavior another source of loneliness is loss of their partners e.g. if
the husband or wife has died.
ii.
Limited income: Which may result in low standard
of nutrition is another socio economic problem. Limited income reduces the
purchasing power so that the aged are not able to buy nutritious foods
that they need
Limited income: Which may result in low standard
of nutrition is another socio economic problem. Limited income reduces the
purchasing power so that the aged are not able to buy nutritious foods
that they need
a.
Housing: In
most cases, the aged live inadequate housing condition because they cannot
afford anything better.
Housing: In
most cases, the aged live inadequate housing condition because they cannot
afford anything better.
b. Neglect
for personal hygiene: The elderly become dirty due to lack of
energy, depression and the usual lack of interest in life.
for personal hygiene: The elderly become dirty due to lack of
energy, depression and the usual lack of interest in life.
