Problems With Elderly Parents
According to a life expectancy chart prepared by Center for Disease Control, people born during or after the 1950s live an average of 20 years longer than those born during the year 1900. Part of this is due to advances in health care technology and medicine. With the average lifespan increasing, many children are left with the responsibility of taking care of their aging parents. With these responsibilities, numerous problems arise.
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Stubbornness
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Many older people are used to doing things when they want, how they want. Therefore, they may become obstinate when caretakers come into their homes and attempt to help take care of them. Often the elderly will use passive aggressiveness toward care staff when they do not want to do something. They might even resist taking a shower, combing their hair or ignore the help staff in an attempt to frustrate them, so they will leave.
Elderly people may not want a stranger coming into their home to take care of them, and while they prefer to be left alone, sometimes this is not feasible, especially when the person can no longer drive or take care of himself or his home. When elderly parents behave this way, it can be frustrating not only for them, but for the people who take care of them as well.
Health Problems
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Since people are living longer, there are many diseases and illnesses they are prone to developing and with which they must cope. Various forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's and depression are but a few. The older people become, the weaker their immune system is and they are more likely to develop such diseases.
Depression is a common illness experienced by the elderly. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 2 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from full-blown depression. Another 5 million suffer from less severe forms of depression. Depending on the severity of their illness, sufferers may need to be hospitalized or may require around-the-clock care.
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Memory Loss
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One of the most common side effects of aging is memory loss. It can start out by forgetting where the keys were put. It eventually becomes worse when they forget where they are or how to get home. It can also affect their health when an elderly parent keeps forgetting to take their medications. When this begins happening, it can be a very worrisome experience, not only for the person experiencing memory loss, but for their children as well.
Lack of Self Care
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Mayoclinic.com reports that if you notice a change in the routine of your elderly parents, especially if they no longer care about how they look, it could be a sign of dementia, depression or other physical ailments. This is when their behavior should be monitored and a doctor should be seen.
Many people of the older generation may not ask for help because they may not even be aware that they have health problems. This is why it is important that they have check-ups on a regular basis.
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References
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