Wessex Health Partners Wessex Integrated Care, Population Health, Research & ...
Age old problem
1. S O U R C E : A R T I C L E B Y
D R . K . R . V I J A Y C H A K R A V A R T H Y
G E R I A T R I C E X P E R T
T H I S P R E S E N T A T I O N I S B Y D R . B A L A S A N D I L Y A N
P S Y C H O L O G I S T / T R A N S F O R M A T I O N C O A C H / T H O U G H T L E A D E R
W W W . V I S I O N U N L I M I T E D . I N M - 9 8 4 0 0 2 7 8 1 0
Age old problem– at a glance
2. What are the tests elderly people
should undergo?
BP
Sugar level
Cholesterol level
Weight loss
Appetite
Cancer tests
Eye and dental care
Skin care
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3. How to identify ‘Osteoporosis’?
Those who have crossed
the age of 60 should go
through the ‘Bone
mineral density’ (BMD)
test to ensure the
strength of the bones.
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4. What is ‘osteoporosis’?
As people age, the bones
become very weak and the
problems related to this is
called ‘osteoporosis’.
If this problem persists in
an elderly person, he or
she may fall quite often
and that may result in
bone fracture – which is
very risky.
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5. What are the diseases that can harm elderly people?
Very importantly the
diseases that can harm or
affect the elderly people
are bone related, knee
pain, lubrication issues,
joints pain, calcium
deficiency, urinary tract
infection, fever etc.
Memory loss, indigestion
Hearing problem, vision,
sleep disorder.
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6. How to prevent bone related problems?
Vitamin ‘D’ is essential for
strengthening the bones.
Sunlight can help apart from
medicine supplement.
Minimum of 30 minutes
walk in the sunlight in a
week would surely help the
elderly person to gain bone
strength.
Milk would help
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7. Why elderly people have memory problems?
Neuron cells in the brain
goes down in number as
people grow/go old. It is
called ‘Dementia’.
There are different types in
it and the degree varies.
A Neurologist would
definitely help. If required
it can be cured with
surgery.
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8. What are the other problems that an elderly
person may face?
They may have digestion
issues as they are most of the
time fixed in a place without
much movement. They may
not have enough appetite.
They should be given some
food which are easily
digestible – containing fibre.
If urination is frequent in the
night, then the memory
problem may aggravate.
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9. What kind of food is good for them?
Rich protein food, milk,
butter milk, fruits like
orange-banana, guava are
good – here again depends
on their health condition.
Green vegetables are good.
Wheat, garlic, dry fruits
may help. Nutrition
dietician or the family
physician would
recommend proper diet.
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10. Why old people feel stressed?
Old people just want someone
to listen to their problems.
Just by listening with interest,
love, care and patience 50% of
the problems would vanish.
They should not feel that they
are not cared properly.
If they feel they are insulted
or ignored they get offended.
Dignity comes first for them
over food.
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11. How oldies can be helped to overcome anxiety
and stress
More than money, food and
medicines – old people just
need genuine attention of
their loved ones, relatives and
friends. Quality time can
provide them happy
moments. Grand children can
give them a soothing touch
which would extend their life
span. The present old age
home issues have definitely
disturbed every old person in
our country.
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