Limitations for Elderly - Essay Example

'Limitations for Elderly' is a worthy example of a paper on social and family issues. 
For the old people, as time keeps on going their lives get worse every day. Being old is very difficult. To the elderly person that I visited, being old to him means having physical health problems, going through mental difficulties, and most difficult he experiences emotional problems (Goodman, et al. 1996). He struggles with physical problems like health and pain problems. He has health difficulties. He normally suffers from fatigue, sleeplessness, headaches, and constipation or diarrhea. Pain makes life complicated for him. He experiences indefinite aches and swelling of the joints. He also has foot problems; pain and inability to walk. And at some times he loses the ability to taste and smell. He experiences slowdowns like memory loss and concentration problems. This is because memory is something that the old individuals lose more and more as we grow old. The gradual decline of memory is part of normal aging. Old people have the problem of remembering what took place yesterday or even a couple of hours ago. Emotional problems are brought about by depression and anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety arise from physical challenges or side effects of medication that is common among the elderly.

Depression and anxiety in aged individuals may occur because of many reasons, but personal loss or physical illnesses are common triggers. Factors that increase the risk of an old person of developing depression or anxiety may include; physical health problems, chronic pain, medication’s side effect, social isolation, a significant change in living arrangement, or even particular anniversaries and the memories they evoke (Shi, et al, 2010). 

Older people are vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness; this can result in a serious effect on the health of the aged. I recommend that ways of overcoming loneliness to be adapted, even when one lives alone and it’s hard to get outside.  People become socially isolated for many reasons such as being old, weaker, ceasing being the family’s hub, illness, or even the death of friends and spouses. Whatever the cause, it is very easy to leave with the feeling of loneliness and vulnerability, which can result in depression and serious deterioration in health and well-being (Smith, D. G. 2002). The majority of the elderly people are lonely and are isolated in America, more so those over the age of 75. A lonely person probably also finds it difficult to reach out. There is a stigma that surrounds loneliness and older individuals tend to ask for assistance because of their pride. It is, therefore, necessary that we adopt ways that older people will feel important and still important members of the society, and above all, we should never let them feel lonely or cut them off from the rest.

Because there is uncertainty regarding the elderly individuals’ health, expenses, longevity, and need for supportive services, it is overwhelming especially to the old people in choosing long term options (Maurer, et al. 2013). The best living arrangements of the elderly people include independent living to daycare or home care, assisted living, congregate housing, or nursing facilities. These facilities are ideal but their stay here can be affected by the availability of these housing options due to the ever-increasing number of elderly people and the additional need for the professionals who are qualified to care for the elderly; currently, they are not many. 

In conclusion, being old is not easy because of the mental, physical and emotional difficulties that age causes. Elderly people have a hard life and that is why we supposed to be considered with them. It is important to understand when they walk slow, drive slow, and we should always try to assist them every time we have an opportunity.