Aged Care OZ

As people age, their bodies experience a wealth of physical and psychological changes. In fact, the aging process is so complex that there is a field of science called gerontology that is devoted entirely to the study of aging. In particular, gerontologists examine the relationship between chronological aging, anatomical aging, and psychological aging, as well as the roles that heredity and lifestyle play in the aging process. Closely linked to gerontology is the science of geriatrics, which focuses on the role of health care for the aged population.

The aging process begins when a person is born and continues until a person’s death. When most people discuss the aging process, they use chronological years as units of measurement. Weeks and months are also used to measure age, particularly during the first two years of life to describe the age neonates or infants.
The age-related changes that take place between birth and adolescence are very pronounced, as a person is experiencing very rapid physical growth and cognitive development. By the time a person has entered early adulthood, physical and cognitive development have usually reached their peak. Following middle adulthood, a person’s bodily functions gradually begin to slow down, with an accelerated decline of faculties occurring among many members of the aged population.

One of the primary facets of aging is anatomical aging, which refers to the development and condition of the organs and other components of the body. As a person ages, there is a number of anatomical changes that occur. For instance, skin elasticity and smoothness begin to erode, producing an increasing number of wrinkles. Also, many older adults begin to experience a loss of hearing or decline in visual acuity. Bones begin to change in shape and can become more brittle, and hardening of the arteries can occur.

Another key consideration in the aging process is a person’s psychological aging. A person’s psychological age is determined by that person’s mental and emotional status. As people grow older, their ability to process information often slows due to a decline in the functioning of their brains. The ability to make decisions and solve problems becomes more and more limited as brain functionality continues to deteriorate. This decline of mental faculties typically begins in late adulthood and affects many members of the aged population.

It is important to note that heredity and lifestyle can play important roles in the aging process. Women have longer average lifespans than men, and the children of parents who live to be 100 years of age are more likely to reach 100 years of age than children of parents who did not reach 100 years of age. Factors such as diet, smoking, and exercise can also have an impact on the aging process. People who smoke, for instance, are more likely to die prematurely than those who do not smoke. Additionally, people who exercise regularly and who consume a healthful, low-fat diet typically have a longer lifespan than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle and consume fatty foods on a regular basis.
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Grief is an emotional response to the loss of a meaningful part of a person’s life. While everyone experiences grief differently, common symptoms of grief include feelings of sadness, anger, and guilt. People most commonly experience grief following the death of a spouse, child, friend, or pet. Grief can also arise after a divorce or job loss, or following the loss of a home or a decline in physical health. The sypmtoms of grief can be particularly pronounced among the aged population because the elderly so often face the simultaneous loss of their loved ones, health, and employment. Moreover, older adults are often confronted with the loss of physical mobility due to the ageing process, which can intensify feelings of sadness and anger.

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There are nearly 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Dementia is a brain disorder that is generally associated with memory loss. AD is the most common type of dementia in senior citizens over the age of 65. AD affects various parts of the brain, including the regions that control memory, thought, and language. There is no cure known for Alzheimer Disease. And although researchers continue to make great strives in our understanding the disease, but still they are unable to know the cause of this fatal disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease causes loss of memory and mental functioning. It is non-reversible and progresses over a period of years. At first, symptoms may be confused as age-related changes in memory. As time goes on, the symptoms become more and more severe. Alzheimer’s disease can cause a person to become disoriented and lead to personality changes. Cognitive abilities decline; as a result, language and other everyday skills can suffer.
According to an estimate around five percent of senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 74 have AD. After age 74 the likelihood of developing the disorder drastically increases; by age 85 nearly fifty percent of senior citizens have AD. Though it is age-related, it is not a normal part of aging and symptoms should not be dismissed.
Scientists have still to identify the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, however they have found some important influences. AD seems to be associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Some evidence suggests that conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol may also be related to AD.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is important that senior citizens with memory loss seek medical assistance. Caregivers who notice memory problems in senior citizens more severe than occasional forgetfulness should schedule a doctor’s appointment for the senior. Consulting a doctor can help determine the difference between normal decline in memory and more severe problems like Alzheimer Disease.
Absolute diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is impossible in living people; rather, doctors make “possible” diagnoses. This is because observing the presence of plaques and tangles in the brain is the only way to diagnose the disease with certainty, and this can only be done after a person dies.
Still, it is possible for doctors to diagnose AD with up to a 90 percent accuracy using general health questions, cognitive tests, medical tests, and brain scans. In some cases, these tests may uncover other causes for the Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. However, there are some medications that help control certain symptoms like agitation, anxiety, and depression. And when you have a person diagnosed with Alzheimer disease at your home make sure you are arranging for proper care for him. Apart from medical treatment, care and support from family members and friends can be of great use. Though the disease is supposed to have no cure till yet, but support from family members can really help the patient spend his live with ease. For any more help that you need concerning elder care you can simply log on to:www.thecaringspace.com

About the Author: Michael Vaughan is a social activist who is working to determine suitable standards for all home care centers. For about two years he has focused on issues of home care centers and has talked with many people about their experiences with home care agency agencies. He currently works with TheCaringSpace.com, a site that allows caregivers to easily connect with seniors in need of care.

As people grow older, they are at an increased risk for a number of health problems. In fact, the prevalence of health disorders among members of the aged population is so great that there is a single branch of medicine called geriatrics that focuses on the prevention and treatment of illness and disability of senior citizens.

Among the plethora of health challenges faced by the elderly are a decline in mobility, sensory deficits, and mental health disorders. Nutritional deficiencies, cardiovascular problems, and slowed memory are other problems that arise in many senior citizens. It is important for family members, health care providers, and caregivers to understand how these health problems can affect the overall quality of life for an elderly person, and to be prepared to seek treatment if necessary.

Certain health problems in the elderly are more noticeable than others. For instance, many older adults recognize on their own that their visual acuity and hearing is not as sharp as it was when they were younger. They also may notice that their level of physical fitness is not at the level that it was during their youth. Deficits in memory and heart health are more difficult to detect or diagnose, and often require the intervention of a trained medical specialist such as a psychiatrist or cardiologist.

While sensory deficits can often be alleviated through the use of medical devices such as hearing aids or corrective eyewear, it is more difficult to prevent or treat the gradual decrease in physical fitness and heart health that accompany ageing. Older adults can slow the decline in their physical functioning and reduce their risk of heart problems by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and regular exercise. They should also maintain regularly scheduled visits with a primary care provider who can monitor their overall health and ageing and aid in the detection of any disorders that may require treatment.