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Conditions & Treatments

Bedsores preventive treatment

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

What is a bedsore?

Bedsore is a skin condition arising from the exposure to the following factors:

  • Pressure causing local ischemia – cells which are deprived of oxygen die, and repeated periods of skin affecting pressure lead to inflammation – that can quickly lead to developing a bedsore.
  • Friction – rubbing peels the epidermis, making the skin weaker or even damaged. Skin irritation or damage promotes bedsore development.
  • Maceration – occurs when the skin is constantly exposed to moisture, what softens it, making it easy to get infected.

Agents causing macerations are:

  • sweat
  • urine
  • wound exudation

 

What promotes bedsore development?

  • Limited mobility – confinement, physical disability, etc.
  • Epidermis injury or abrasion
  • Improper skin care
  • General health problems – malnutrition, deficiency of protein, electrolytes and blood compounds
  • Atherosclerosis, diabetes
  • Prolonged exposure to wetness, which can be caused by choosing wrong incontinence management products
  • Too high ambient temperature causing excessive perspiration and skin chafes
  • Garments and bedclothes made of artificial, skin irritating materials
  • Internal seams in clothes, buttons, food bits on the mattress.

The most common places where bedsores occur

5 stages of bedsores

Bedsores are rated in stages – there are 5 depending on the level of development:

STAGE I – redness, which fades after eliminating the pressure; there is no skin damage.

STAGE II – redness which does not fade after relieving the pressure; surface swelling, skin erosion; painful epidermis injury.

STAGE III – deep skin damage reaching to the dermis (deeper skin structures); visible, swelling, rash; the bottom of the wound may be covered with dissolving tissue (yellow mass) or red granulation.

STAGE IV – the damage reaches down to the bone, skin necrosis occurs; dead tissue is present, and the bottom of the wound may be filled with black necrotic tissue.

STAGE V – this is the most advanced stage – necrosis reaches down to the muscles, what may lead to sepsis.

Bedsore preventive treatment

Healthy people, who are able to control their muscles, and are able to react to discomfort caused by pressure never develop bedsores. Their development in the case of people with limited mobility can be considerably reduced by following the rules of bedsore preventive treatment.

Do not ignore the symptoms

Skin redness, which doesn’t disappear after relieving pressure, blisters developing in the area under pressure, damaged epidermis – these symptoms should alert the carer. Constant skin observation is a crucial element of bedsore preventive treatment.

Try to eliminate risk factors

  • Body repositioning should be carried out regularly every 2–3 hours.
  • Decrease the pressure on the skin if bedsores start to develop the person you look after should not sit or lie on the body part affected by the changes.
  • Remember to separate the legs with a pillow when positioning on one’s side.
  • Get rid of rubber underpads – they tend to crease and fold – this puts pressure on the skin and blocks the air circulation.
  • Bedclothes should never be wet – if the person you look after wets the bed you should change the bedding.
  • Prevent injuries – this also includes scratches – clip your loved one’s nails short and file them.

Use special bedsore preventive equipment

  • Pressure reducing (anti bedsore) mattress
  • Anti bedsore pillows
  • Special bed underpads and mattress covers
  • Slip mats and sliding equipment used to reposition the person on the bed.

Try to activate your loved one as much as possible

  • Encourage the person under your care to do as many activities as possible.
  • Try to work on increasing mobility.
  • Do not relive the person you look after from every activity.

Use skin care

  • Delicately cleanse the skin using special cosmetics.
  • Avoid using products which affect the skin too much. Also avoid using powder with greasy products such as oil or rich cream.
  • Remember about intimate hygiene of the person you look after – cleanse these parts with delicate products and apply protection in those areas.
  • Check the skin condition every day – react promptly if you come across something disturbing.
  • Activate the skin through massage.

Ensure healthy diet for the person you look after

  • Daily diet should supply the organism with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and microelements.
  • The diet should include cereals, dairy products, legumes, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.
  • If bedsores start to develop it is advised to introduce a diet high in protein for some time.
  • Sweets, animal fat and salt consumption should be cut down or avoided.

If bedsores develop you need to consult a doctor immediately to plan the treatment. Treatment of bedsores takes time. It is a difficult process, however if you follow the doctor’s advice, it is possible to cure them.

 

Remember: the sooner you start to employ proper action, the quicker and more effective will be the treatment. Remember that it is easier to prevent, than cure.

 

You can find more information the best products to prevent bedsores at Senior.com.

-Provided by Seni, maker of skin care and incontinence products.

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3 Easiest Ways to Record Phone Calls on iPhones
Aging

Health Benefits of Social Media for Seniors

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

When you think of social media, I doubt you picture grandma tapping away on her smartphone.You would be surprised by the benefits of social media for seniors. Just three years ago the number of social media users over the age of 65 was thought to be under 10%.

Now, that number seems to be on the rise according to recent studies. The reasons for the recent rise in the popularity of social media with this generation is still up for debate. Some people speculate that it could be due to the unexpected health benefits older social media users are experiencing.

With this in mind, let’s look at 3 health benefits of social media for seniors:

Stress relief

  • As people age, relationships tend to become more distant and can often result in feelings of isolation and depression. It is a good idea to encourage the use of social media for seniors. The ability to be in close contact with family and friends has had a clear effect on senior’s stress level.
  • This is especially true when families are separated by long distances and a cross-country road trip or flight isn’t possible as often as they might like.
  • But even day to day interactions are made easier by social media.
  • Maybe your grandma hears about your new promotion on Facebook instead of finding out at Thanksgiving dinner months for now.
  • Maybe your grandpa is able to reconnect with a high school friend that he hasn’t spoken to in years.
  • Whatever it is, these interactions have a huge positive impact on how seniors feel about their relationships with friends and family.

Keeping an active mind

  • Social media keeps the mind engaged, which can, in turn, lead to better memory.
  • Social media platforms are ever-changing and fast paced. By being an active user, older people are challenging their minds to keep up with this pace.
  • And just like with physical exercise, the more you make your brain work, the stronger it is.
  • Research has found that social media for seniors likely plays a large role in mental health. This can result in less depression and more overall satisfaction with life.

Keeping an active body

  • Have you ever been scrolling through your Facebook feed and felt that little pang of jealousy? Maybe someone you know was doing something more fun than you.
  • That can actually be a huge motivating factor to get up and do something. Since staying active is one of the best ways to stay healthy as you age, this can have a huge impact on overall health.
  • During a study that was conducted in the UK and Italy, older members of the community were introduced to social media. The effects it had on them were monitored.
  • One woman reported finding a new love of life through social media. The 70-year-old claimed to have been invigorated. She lost a significant amount of weight and dyed her hair yellow.
  • Even if the changes aren’t so drastic as shedding unwanted pounds, just being motivated to go out to the flower garden in the front yard or take a walk through the park. Anything beyond your regular routine — can have great benefits for physical health.
  • Social media for seniors may seem unimportant to some, but it really does have the ability to positively affect your health and that of aging loved ones. Health Benefits of Social Media for Seniors
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Exercise & Fitness

Exercise Tips for Seniors

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

How Often to Exercise

Exercise routines should be done according to a doctor’s plans, keeping the physical and mental health of the patient in mind. All routines recommend at least one hour of daily physical activity for senior adults, though often specific exercise regimens will include rest days where you should remain active but refrain from that particular exercise. These rest days allow the muscles to heal themselves for improved performance over time, and while some highly intensive programs may only require one rest day, other programs may require multiple rest days.

Make sure to follow the regimen that is recommended by your doctor and by the exercise program that you are following.

Making Exercise A Habit

Since daily exercise and activity are essential, making sure you stick with your routine is as important as choosing the right one for you. Studies from many notable sources, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, tell us that habits generally take around 21 days to form. The secret is to force the body and fool the mind into exercising for those 21 days until your brain makes the behavior automatic. The body will then begin to enjoy and even look forward to exercise sessions.

Many people may be able to consciously force themselves into a new 21 day pattern, despite feeling unwilling to exercise during certain days of that period. Other people may need some encouragement, distractions, or rewards to build the habit. One of the best ways of guaranteeing a habit sticks is finding friends who are on the same path. Even if you can’t find a traditional friend, there are many online video channels and communities that offer digital friendship and assistance to people who are starting an exercise regimen.

Exercising at Home

Exercising in the home often makes it easier to form the exercise habit. Your home is less expensive and more convenient than a gym, and with a bit of ingenuity, you can even turn common objects into equipment that will bolster your exercise program.

  • Chairs – Many exercises, including the chair dips mentioned above, use nothing more than your body weight and a chair to posture your body. Chairs are meant to take pressure off of certain parts of your body, and you can use that feature to isolate other parts, giving you the freedom to exercise and strengthen them. Chair exercises also give elder adults with limited mobility the ability to continue exercising.
  • Stairs – Stairs may be used for cardiovascular exercise. Elliptical machines were invented to reproduce the experience of climbing stairs, so why not stick with the original! Stairs are a great way to keep your heart rate up, exercise your lower body, and improve blood flow.
  • Walls – You can use any doorway wall in your home as a brace for joint stretches.
  • Swimming pool – If you have a swimming pool in your home, you can enjoy exercise while helping your joints. Swimming is also great for people who are overweight because it takes strain off of the skeleton while allowing them to raise their heart rate and strengthen the muscles.

 

Older adults may also exercise at home without any equipment at all. Body weight exercises such as yoga and simple pushups, situps and leg lifts can provide just as much benefit as exercises at the gym. The secret to a healthier body through exercise is consistency and the right level of intensity, not the kind of equipment you use in your routine.

Physical Activity Vs. Exercise

By the same token, ordinary physical activity can confer some of the same benefits as exercise at the gym. Physical activity is defined as any movement that requires the energy of the skeletal muscles to perform. Physical activity can include exercise, but it also includes movements that occur within the daily routine such as walking to a dog park, getting out of bed, brushing your teeth or your hair, or changing a light bulb.

Naturally, some physical activity is less strenuous than others. Exercise, on the other hand, is physical activity that is structured and repetitive, and has the aim of maintaining or improving physical fitness. Exercise is also often targeted at improving one of the five aspects of physical fitness: body composition, muscular endurance fitness, flexibility fitness, muscular strength fitness and cardio-respiratory fitness. For most seniors, 30 minutes of structured, repetitive exercise a day is essential to physical fitness. This number is derived from the perceived intensity of the average workout and from the fact that most seniors tend to live a less active lifestyle as they get older.

At the same time, physical activity and exercise can both build health in older adults. As a matter of fact, seniors who live an active enough lifestyle may be able to maintain their physical fitness through physical activity alone. However, even seniors who are very active may need to undertake special exercise routines to address particular issues. For instance, a senior whose active lifestyle keeps them in excellent physical shape may still need to go on a regimen to build flexibility and strength in the hip after an implant operation.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends both physical activity and exercise for a truly healthy lifestyle. They cite extremely lazy lifestyles as the reason that even daily exercise routines are not as effective as they should be. For instance, a senior who exercises intensely for an hour but then sits down for the majority of the day will have trouble keeping fit.

The bottom line is that it’s good to engage in general physical activity and pursue a daily exercise routine. Stand instead of sit. Take stairs instead of elevators when possible. Take on some household chores such as gardening or mowing the lawn, within reason. Make it a point to watch less TV, or at least perform some easy home exercises during commercial breaks.

Physical activity can even become exercise if approached correctly. In fact, one of the best ways to successfully implement an exercise regimen is to accentuate daily activities.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Adding weights to everyday walking – You can upgrade trips to the mall or to the park from physical activity into an exercise regimen by using light weights. There are many weights made for this purpose specifically that are small, attractive and easy to carry.
  • Extending a daily activity into a regimen – Enjoyable daily activities can be extended into an exercise routine. For instance, people who enjoy gardening will probably enjoy yoga. The movements are similar and many yoga classes are held outdoors.
  • Physical activity during leisure periods – During TV time, many people will fit in a set of sit-ups or push-ups while watching.

 

How To Track Your Progress

So—you’ve chosen a program that fits your needs and abilities, and you’ve stuck with it while also boosting your ordinary physical activity. How will you know that you’re making any progress? As it happens, there are many ways to track and measure the benefits of an exercise routine. What tracking measures you use will depend on the types of results you expect from your program — a weight loss program is tracked differently from a muscular strengthening program, for example.

Here are some common ways to track exercise programs for older adults.

  • Cardiovascular health – In most cases, lowering the resting heart rate and the body mass index (BMI) are key performance indicators of a heart health program. A lower heart rate signifies the body is working less to pump blood, preserving the heart and arteries for longer periods of time. Having an appropriate body mass index ensures that the body is better able to fight off disease. A good body fat ratio also ensures that the joints are not overtaxed by having to carry extra weight, among many other benefits.
  • Muscular strengthening – Muscle strengthening programs measure success by the endurance and strength of the muscles and nerves that are used in heavy lifting. If you’re focused on building muscle strength, keep track of the number of repetitions you can do at a particular rate or keep track of the total weight lifted in each individual exercise.
  • Ease of daily routine – A much less formal, but still quite relevant form of tracking is the ease with which an older adult can simply live his or her daily life. Physical fitness is defined as the ability to easily perform day-to-day tasks, and this is all that some people are looking to achieve. If you’re getting through your day with fewer physical challenges, you can probably thank your exercise routine!

 

Health is essential to enjoying your later years, and exercise, and physical activity in general, are essential for health. It’s never too late to start, and if you take the right approach and consult with your doctor before starting, you can expect to find your days happier, easier, and more full of the joys that make life worth living.

By Aging.com

Seniors haven’t reached the end: they’ve reached a new beginning. And Aging.com was set up to help you start this new phase of your life on the right foot. Our mission is to help you and thousands of other older adults who want to live independently, plan your finances, and take charge of your health care.

Sources
http://www.who.int/topics/physical_activity/en/
http://www.aicr.org/press/press-releases/getting-up-from-your-desk.html
https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/olderad.htm
http://news.mit.edu/2012/understanding-how-brains-control-our-habits-1029

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7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief
Conditions & Treatments

7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or a response. Stress is a normal part of life. At some point, almost everyone gets stressed. 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief

Reasons

So what are the reasons seniors get stressed. As they retire, seniors leave the working world and are immersed in the world of retirement. Along with being older, retirement brings about a different set of circumstances. Some of these may cause seniors stress. Circumstances such as:

  1. Having lived in the regimented working world for over 40 years, retirement creates problems for some. From having something to do all day long for over 60 years to suddenly change and have all the time in the world. For some who aren’t prepared, this change can create stress.
  2. Some seniors may not be financially ready for retirement. Social security only provides so much income. And this causes some seniors to worry about how they will get by for the rest of their lives.
  3. Loss of companions in the same generation results in isolation and is a big stressor.
  4. Medical conditions. Also, some seniors may have or develop serious medical conditions as they age. Depending on the severity, some of these conditions may cause seniors stress.
  5. Physical limitations. Age creeps up on seniors and along with age some will develop physical issues limiting them in some way and form. Being independent for most of their lives, these limitation become challenges and source of stress.

Symptoms of Stress

How do you recognize, you are in, stress? Well, some of the more common symptoms of stress include:

  1. Worry or anxiety
  2. Panic attack
  3. Difficulty sleeping
  4. Irritability
  5. Outburst of anger
  6. Inability to concentrate
  7. Headache
  8. Self-neglect
  9. Alcohol abuse

Activities to Relieve Stress

And, here are some activities that will help relieve the stress. Most noteworthy, the first five activities are relatively easy to do. For those not familiar with the last two, they can be learned by watching you tube videos or going to classes.

  1. Go for a walk. Walking is a universally accepted way to reduce stress. Furthermore, considerable research has shown that walking as fast as you can or even jogging reduces stress. Moreover, walking can be done anywhere, so it’s an easy thing to do.
  2. Listening to music. Research has shown that listening to music helps reduce stress. Moreover, as compared to other music genres, classical music is best for relieving stress.
  3. According, to Harvard Medical School’s Department of Neurobiology, dancing helps reduce stress. And dancing to your favorite music is a fun thing to do for getting rid of stress. Moreover, if your partner is not immediately available, you can dance on your own.
  4. Take a short nap. Researchers from Sorbonne University in Paris found that a brief 30 minute nap was effective in relieving stress. So, go ahead and take that short nap when you are stressed.
  5. Be with someone close. Much research and studies have shown that being in the company of someone close to you or you enjoy, gives you relief from stress.
  6. Meditation has also been found to ease stresses like anxiety, depression and pain. And there are countless studies backing that up. If you are not familiar with mediation take a short course. Or learn it, on your own, from you tube videos.
  7. Do yoga movements. Again many studies have shown yoga reduces stress and anxiety. In fact, research has shown that yoga is better than walking to relieve stress. If you are not familiar with yoga, take classes or learn some basic elements from you tube videos.

Finally, once the stress is gone and you are feeling better, figure out ways to resolve the issue(s) causing you stress.
https://www.fitnessreporting.com
Lisa Anderson, Master’s in Nursing, working on a PhD. Been a visiting nurse for many years. Interested in connection between staying fit and health. Creator of the website.
7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief 7 Best Ways for Seniors to get Stress Relief
 

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Aging

5 Ways to Slow Down Cognitive Decline

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

For many years, researchers have been studying the phenomenon of “use it or lose it.” The phrase refers to the aging process in that if you don’t use your mind, it will start to become more difficult to use it. Some studies have found that this may not be the case, and it’s more accurate to say that it just takes longer for older people to learn new information. It could also be that when you use your mind more, it’s easier to learn than if you did not. Whether “use it or lose it” is correct or not, no one can deny the benefits of exercising the mind – learning new information and improved mental health. 5 Ways to Slow Down Cognitive Decline

What You Can Do

With just a few minutes each day, you can slow down cognitive decline as you age. Consider adding these activities into your days. 5 Ways to Slow Down Cognitive Decline

Read

Reading the newspaper, online articles, or books are all good ways to keep your mind active. Be sure to use good reading glasses if you have trouble seeing, so you don’t experience headaches. If you’re unable to read for long, just do it for five minutes or so each time.

Volunteer

One reason older individuals suffer from cognitive decline is because they’ve retired, so their minds aren’t challenged as much. Volunteering can replace some of the cognitive benefits you received from your job. You don’t have to volunteer full-time, but there’s scientific evidence that 15 or more hours a week is most effective.

Brain Games

Puzzles and other brain games such as what Luminosity offers can help slow down cognitive decline. The reasoning is the same as when you were working full time – when you challenge your brain, it causes new neuron connections, which helps your mind stay just as sharp as it was when you were employed.

Exercise

Exercise isn’t only good for your body, but for your mind as well. Your brain helps you move your body because it tells your joints what to do to move. This is why exercising helps. It’s best to try new exercises each day, so it makes your mind work harder to learn the new maneuvers.

Visit the Doctor

Cognitive decline is a side effect of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It’s important to be assessed for these conditions and get treated for them, so your mind doesn’t become affected by them. 5 Ways to Slow Down Cognitive Decline
It can be difficult to feel motivated to exercise your mind and body, but it’s vitally important as you age. If you need help, consider contacting Kendall Van Blarcom – personal consultant.
A personal consultant can help you slow down the cognitive effects of aging by finding out why you’re not motivated to incorporated some of these tips into your days. He can also coach you along to help you achieve your goals when it comes to keeping your mind active and healthy. Call Kendall today to learn more about personal consulting and how it can help you.

5 Ways to Slow Down Cognitive Decline

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Uber for Elders
Driving

Uber for Elders

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

There are many innovative smartphone apps out there, but perhaps one of the most popular is Uber. For those who are unfamiliar with this app, Uber immediately connects you to an Uber driver who takes you to your destination within minutes. Talk about convenience! U
ber for Elders
Even though the use of this app is most popular among young Millennials, Uber use among seniors has steadily increased over the past few years according to an article published in Forbes (written by an Uber driver himself).

A Great Option for Seniors

You may have heard the stereotype that seniors simply refuse to adapt to new technology, but this doesn’t seem to be the case as Uber is becoming viral among members of this age group. Although it may seem odd, Uber is an affordable option for seniors to regain their independence, especially for those who no longer feel comfortable behind the wheel. Seniors typically rely on family members or neighbors to drive them places, but this may not be an option for many since 22 percent of baby boomers are expected to become elder orphans with limited access to transportation. Already seniors who are unable to drive miss 15 percent of medical appointments. Luckily with Uber, all seniors have the opportunity to get a ride, whether it’s to a grocery store, doctor’s appointment or a get-together with friends or family. According to one Uber driver, seniors make up 40 percent of her clients, one of whom was a 93-year-old man who said, “I can go wherever I want – the road is endless with Uber.

The Benefits (And Some Drawbacks) of Uber
There are several reasons why Uber has increased in popularity among Millennials and seniors alike including:

  • Ease of Use. It may not seem like it when you first download the app, but Uber is extremely easy to use once you get used to it. If you don’t have a tech-savvy helper nearby, here are the simple steps to use Uber once the app is downloaded from the iPhone App Store or Google Play for Android smartphones:
    • Tap the screen to set where the Uber driver will pick you up.
    • Request the ride.
    • Enter your destination.
    • Once Uber picks you up, you’ll see the route the Uber driver will follow.
  • Uber is considered to be highly affordable, no matter what kind of budget you’re on. The cost of an Uber ride depends on the time and distance of the ride.

  • Helpful Features.     Features included in the app are Fare Estimation so you can get an idea of how much your trip will cost and a Split Fare option allows you to easily split the fare if you’re sharing the ride with a friend.

Despite these benefits, below are two of the biggest reasons why seniors are hesitant to use this app:

  • Safety Concerns. Three of the top concerns of Uber use among seniors are safety, legality and background checks of Uber drivers, but Uber is working to make it more accessible and safe for seniors (see below).
  • Technological Unfamiliarity. Even though Uber is easy to use, it can be difficult for seniors who never grew up with cell phones to transition into the tech-crazed society we live in.

These are all legitimate concerns, but they may disappear in the near future. Uber recently participated in the White House Conference on Aging where they announced that Uber will begin a trial program for senior outreach. This community-based program includes free tutorials and rides at previously determined senior centers and retirement communities.

Watch the video below to get a better idea of how Uber is increasing mobility options for the 26 million older adults who rely on others for mobility.

Author: Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
https://www.facebook.com/MedicalGuardian
https://twitter.com/MedicalGuardian

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Aging

Older People Deserve Better

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

shutterstock_14241319 (1)“We’re mad as hell, and we’re not going to take this anymore. We’re human beings, our life has value!”
These famous lines paraphrased from the 1976 movie, Network, flood my thoughts over and over again as I watch people close to me grow old in today’s forever young society which makes it increasingly difficult to age in America.
Like so many of my baby boomer generation, I was caught up in the youth movement- we didn’t trust authorities (due to the Vietnam War protests) and we viewed older people as frail. Boomers were the generation “that never expected to age” and now most of us are over 60 and considered old by younger generations. Today, most young people think older people retire, wrinkle, shrivel, and fade into the sunset.
We live in a youth-dominated America with doses of celebrity worship; aging is not cool. Young celebrities like Kim Kardashian are revered while the elderly are relegated to the backside of society. We spend billions of dollars on anti-aging creams and surgical procedures to eliminate the worn-look of wrinkles rather than view a wrinkled face as reflecting life’s experiences which took years to create.
I’ve witnessed the unintended consequences of America’s fetish with the fountain of youth. My heart drops every time I deliver a hot meal to ‘Miss’ Mary, an 89 year old African-American lady on my Meals on Wheels route every Tuesday morning.
Mary lives alone in a house in need of repair in Sebastian, Florida. In the three years I’ve been delivering hot meals to her, none of her five children have visited. Every Tuesday I see a frail, elderly woman sitting alone in a wheel chair watching overly enthusiastic contestants on the Price is Right on an old tube television. I don’t know why her children don’t visit but she deserves more life than this in her waning years. I guess some younger people are more concerned with their own lives than with the lives of people who brought them into this world.
A couple of blocks away, I deliver a hot meal to Ben, a 70-ish old white man living by himself in an old run down RV. Ben lives in squalor, it couldn’t be any less sanitary. Empty soda bottles and cans form a border around the living space, while cigarette smoke fills the air. Open cereal boxes, half-used plates and utensils, dirty clothes and an assortment of moldy food particles line the floor.
Ben is listless when I hand him his meal every Tuesday morning. Other than an occasional healthcare worker visiting him, Ben is a lost soul in our youth-obsessed society. His pride has been stripped away; he feels helpless, useless and ugly.
I suppose Ben is in God’s waiting room along with Miss Mary and countless other senior citizens experiencing similar fates. They are on the other side of life; standing on the sidelines watching a forever young parade go by.
The poor and destitute are not the only older people in God’s waiting room. Anti-aging attitudes have scorched a segment of the senior citizen population, ranging from the poor to wealthy, white to black and any person in between; living half empty lives in modest as well as lavish senior living communities across the nation. You can see it in their faces; it’s the same look that Mary and Ben display- a look of despair.
Many older people are ashamed and/or embarrassed to display some of the marks of aging in a ‘forever young’ society that too frequently labels ‘old’ as frail and useless. Wrinkles are ugly, wheelchairs represent helplessness, and hearing aids reflect weakness.
There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to appear young if it makes us feel good, raise our confidence and promote a healthier lifestyle. The problem with forever young attitudes is not individual attempts to maintain a youthful appearance but rather the societal messaging that staying young is superior to growing old; that young is beautiful and old is ugly.
There is no shortage of organizations helping senior citizens live better lives every day, offering health care, home care and other support services as well as representing their political and economic interests. However well intentioned, these organizations treat the symptoms not the cause. America’s obsession with anti-aging is the root cause of many of the struggles experienced by the senior citizen population; treat the cause and most of the symptoms disappear.
We need to raise awareness to the stigma associated with senior citizens and aging, particularly for those older people who are drowning in the flood of youthfulness. Public relations campaigns (television, movies, radio, print and social media) with positive messaging about aging would help accomplish this; it will be a step in the right direction.
Winston Churchill once said, “Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference.” People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.
Imagine how television commercials featuring older people involved in community activities or working alongside younger workers would enhance the image of older people. Imagine the goodwill that would be created by public service ads showing younger people opening doors for elders, helping them with groceries or visiting them at nursing homes. Imagine the powerful influence of celebrity spokespeople promoting a senior-friendly movement and admonishing against forever young attitudes.
Whether or not you are currently a senior citizen, you can’t escape the fact that you will one day join these ranks. Celebrating rather than stigmatizing older people plays an important role in changing the way other generations view aging.
Actress Susan Sarandon said it best: “I look forward to being older, when what you look like becomes less and less an issue and what you are is the point.”
Dr. David Lereah

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