The psychological reasons as to why the ageing process exits
Older people share several common characteristics such a gray hair, vision and hearing problems, and wrinkled skin. Old age causes deterioration of body functions, making people susceptible to diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), heart diseases, and depression. Estimates indicate that by 2030 the number of people above 65 years will be 71.5 million in the United States.
Nowadays, people are living longer compared to earlier generations, which prolongs the years after retirement. Older people face various mental disorders. AD is one of the most severe diseases that affect them. It affects functioning, such as performing daily chores, changes the personality, and leads to memory loss. It also impairs thinking, affects learning, and leads to language loss. AD can lead to death. Although it has no cure, scientists have discovered different ways to manage the symptoms.
Older people also suffer from depression. The symptoms are different. For instance, a young person suffering from it may depict signs such as feeling worthless and hopeless while an older person may suffer from aches and insomnia. It is difficult to diagnose depression in older people. It may be mistaken for other mental disorders. People suffering from heart diseases and depression are at higher risk of dying due to heart attacks.
Although people hold various misconceptions about depression in older people, depression is curable at all ages. Some people believe that the aged are too old to help, or it is difficult for them to change and grow psychologically. However, therapy and medications can treat depression among the aged.
Depression contributes to suicide among the aged. Although older people made only 13% of the US population in 2000, 18% of people above 65 years committed suicide that year. White men are the most vulnerable. Depression affects the ability to recover from underlying health problems.
Older people should not hesitate to seek medical help whenever they suspect they are suffering from depression. They should not assume that it will disappear on its own. They should talk to the family doctor so that the doctor can conduct a medical assessment to understand the underlying cause.
Apart from mental disorders, the aged also suffer from other illnesses caused by their deteriorating body functions. There are different ways in which people can slow down the ageing process. Physical exercise, taking the right nutrition, and avoiding drug and tobacco use prolongs life and reduces developing health complications during old age.
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