When it comes to healthy aging, study after study prove that enjoying active and energetic lifestyles are important to lead a healthier and fulfilled life. Most of the countries in the world are witnessing an elder population explosion and veterans already account for a considerable percentage. Signs that come with aging are unavoidable but again there are some sensible and practical ways to acknowledge the changes that come with age. Along with physical and mental concerns longer lives financial concerns, especially in this era where there are only a few traditional pensions. Also, in comparison to any other age group, seniors take more prescription drugs, visit doctors frequently and become more dependent on family members or caregivers.
Ageism is Hurting Veterans
Ageism can be defined as prejudice against senior people and, like any other prejudice, creates rigorous issues in society. According to the World Health Organization, ageism is rampant in countries with great economic status, like the USA. While the citizens of this country pay great importance to living standards, sadly aging is seen as a devastating process that poses a threat to their prized possessions. While excess drug intake affects veterans’ cognitive and physical functions, they also become the victim of everyday environment and tend to become displeased by healthcare providers who subsequently may not cater to their closest needs.
Erroneous Diagnosis
Diagnostic errors are relatively common in older people. Their reactions to pharmaceuticals and symptoms of diseases can be misinterpreted by doctors and other healthcare providers. Also, many senior people may be more susceptible to the wrong diagnosis that not only endangers their health but also lead to opportunity costs for the healthcare systems.
Strokes Due to Drugs
Many real-life stories showcase the reflective consequences of ageism in healthcare. A report by the Alliance of Ageing Research said about a woman named as ‘Mrs. G’ whose life took a U-turn due to misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. While she was quite independent at the age of 82, worked three days a week, she changed after she feels in her home and hit her head. Following the accident, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and started taking medication as prescribed by the doctors.
Eventually, Mrs. G’s condition improved but soon deteriorated. She was forced to use a wheelchair and even if she tried to stand, she would stiffen. Medications were further increased and gradually she lost lucidity and was sent to a rehabilitation facility. Later, a nurse recommended her daughter to see a geriatric specialist in a different hospital who concluded that Mrs. G didn’t have Parkinson’s and stopped her drug intake. Tests showed that wrong drug intake caused her a series of strokes that irretrievably damaged her brain. Even though Mrs. G stopped taking those drugs, she was unexpected to recover completely.
Care by loved Ones
According to reports non-paid caregivers like family and friends provide most assistance for senior people. They help a veteran in their daily work like eating, shopping, bathing, cleaning homes, etc. While the need of care is reaching height, the numbers of caregivers are decreasing day by day, mostly because low fertility, increased divorces, a higher rate of childlessness and increased rate of staying single, etc. therefore, veterans will have fewer members in their family to care for them. Studies show that if the needs of the caregivers are not addressed, their lives will be at the state of increased risk in every aspect right from health to quality of life.
Elder Abuse and Risk
According to the National Center on Elder abuse, one out of every 10 senior citizens in the U.S has experienced abuse of some form. Lack of social support is one of the key reasons for this. As a result abused older people become more dependent on caregivers, who eventually suffer mentally, physically and financially.
Negligence and abandonment are also regarded as forms of elder abuse other than sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s are more likely to experience abuse due to their lack of ability to communicate, reductions in memory and impaired judgment.
The Importance of Nutrition for seniors
While eating right one of the key requirements for older adults, aging affects a lot of things that lead to improper nutrition. The medication causes changes in taste and color, other gum diseases and dental problems prevent from eating what one likes. Older people who have lost their ability to smell, taste or identify colors are likely to receive less protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates due to lack of eating enough.
Nutritionists recommend making eating an interesting activity for the seniors just like the kids. Adding colors, spices that are not harmful and also texture can help. Green leafy vegetables and those with bright colors like bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes can make food enjoyable. If allowed, a little amount of cheese, butter, nuts, and olive oil can enhance the taste buds of the veterans.
More Illness, Many Doctors
Older adults are likely to have more than one health issues at the same times which mean they need to see more than one doctor for treating them. As a result, they take medicines prescribed by different doctors and this increases the risk of drug toxicity. It is always advisable not to take medicines for every health conditions, especially those can be cured by bringing some changes in lifestyle and food habits.
Vaccines
Last but not least, vaccines play a major role in senior people over the age of 50 years. According to numerous surveys, about 45,000 older adults die each year due to disease complications that could be otherwise prevented by vaccines. In general older people tend to avoid getting vaccinated because they think it is not necessary or even due to lack of adequate knowledge. Also, they might think that vaccines can have side effects.
However, vaccines don’t have major side effects and taking vaccines at the right time can prevent them from illnesses that can lead to hospitalization, disability and even death in the long-run. Some common vaccines for seniors and are Flu, chickenpox (varicella), if not received in childhood, Tdap or Td (Tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria)
MMR (Mumps. Measles, Rubella), if not received as a child and born in 1957 or afterward.
Tracy Everhart
Tracy Everhart is the Editor for Drug Law Journal. A highly-trained and certified medical professional, Tracy is also an accomplished medical writer. After spending years on the front lines of the medical profession, Tracy now devotes her expertise and skills to researching and reporting on new drugs and devices that enter the market, as well as their side-effects and the real-life stories involved. Prior to joining Drug Law Journal, Tracy wrote for benchmark online healthcare resources focused on families and, in particular, women’s health issues. Tracy holds post-graduate degrees from both the American College of Healthcare Sciences and the Yale School of Nursing. She is also a graduate of both Hampshire College, where she studied microbiology and the University of South Carolina school of nursing.