Unfortunately, as people age and grow older, they become more prone to threats, especially health-related ones. It is very common to experience health issues as you age. There are some diseases and illnesses that we simply cannot avoid. However, there are some that we can if we are resilient and take the necessary steps, precautions, and actions. Even for the illnesses we cannot prevent, we can change our lifestyles in ways that will reduce the likelihood of the threats. With that being said, this article aims to inform you about the common threats elderly people experience. Importantly also, it aims to give you some helpful advice and practical tips to help mitigate against the threats of old age.
Arthritis
Arthritis is very common in older people. Symptoms of arthritis include:
- Pain, swelling, and feelings of stiffness in joints
- Pain, swelling, and stiffness in your neck or back
- Pain and stiffness after doing tasks (for example, gardening or general housework and chores) that would not normally cause you any pain or distress
If you have experienced any of the symptoms above, it is definitely a good idea to contact and call your doctor so that they can examine you. If it turns out that you do not have arthritis, then great! What is important is that you spot the signs early and do everything you can to prevent it from continuing to hurt. Further, there are some ways to prevent, or at least reduce the likelihood of developing, arthritis. For instance, you could:
- Eat more fish as specific species of fish (e.g., salmon, sardines, and mackerel) are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation within the body.
- Monitor and control your weight. Being overweight can increase your chances of developing arthritis as your body will put more pressure on your knees. So, your knees will be less likely to be able to effectively support your bodyweight if you are too heavy. To reduce the likelihood of developing arthritis, you must eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly so that you maintain a healthy weight for your age, height, and gender.
- Avoid injury. Your joints will wear out naturally as you age. However, injuring yourself can exacerbate this process. For example, if you injure your joints while participating in a sporting event, your cartilage (i.e., the connective tissue in your joints) can damage and wear out even further.
Heart disease
Another threat old people face is heart disease. Heart disease is more likely to hurt an older person than a young person. Crucially, heart disease can lead to death. So, it is important that you take all the necessary precautions (i.e., try to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle) in order to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease. So, eat as healthy as you can and take care of your body.
Social isolation
It is known that human beings are social creatures. We love to connect, communicate and interact with others (some more than others). So regardless of your personality type (introvert or extrovert), we need to connect with other humans, or at least other animals and nature in order to be happy. However, as we grow older, social isolation becomes an increasing threat. This is likely because you no longer have a reason or need to socialize. What is meant by this is that we no longer have to attend school (e.g., high school, college, or university) or work, which forces us to be social. Further, if you are older, you are most likely retired or on the verge of retiring. Therefore, the institutions that forced us to be social once will no longer exist in old age. Instead, you will likely find that you have more time on your hands. This can be positive as it enables you to spend more time doing the things you love.
For example, if you have a particular affinity for dance, you have more time to go to some dance classes. Or perhaps your passion is art. If so, you will have numerous hours in the day and days within a week to spend painting, drawing, making pottery, or doing whatever form of art you are into. However, having too much alone time can be more damaging than good. This is primarily because it can lead to social isolation.
What you can do
If you as an elderly person feel lonely or if you know somebody who is experiencing social isolation in old age, you should seek to make connections with other people or help them make these connections. One way to connect and make friends in old age is by living in a care home, such as those provided by Belmont assisted living. This is because care homes can help overcome isolation through the creation of a community. The care home can be viewed as a community, where residents are able to communicate and socialize with each other on a regular basis.
Why is it important?
So, feelings of social isolation and loneliness are common with and for elderly people. However, these feelings are actually dangerous and can pose health risks.
Examples of the health risks associated with social isolation and loneliness include heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and high blood pressure. For clarity’s sake, this does not mean that feeling lonely will result in developing one or more of these illnesses. Instead, it suggests and shows that people experiencing pro-longed and serious cases of social isolation are more likely to develop these illnesses for a number of reasons. For example, if you are isolated socially, you may exercise less and eat unhealthier, which will, in turn, result in weight gain and eventually (if this type of living goes unchecked) obesity. As illustrated in the sentence before, most of these diseases and illnesses will occur due to a range of different reasons and factors. However, social isolation and strong feelings of loneliness can spark this range of issues. As the saying goes, a candle cannot burn without fire; social isolation could be the fire.
