Dylan Armajani: Run Past Your Goals and Find Yourself
'I Have 20 Times The Energy I Used To Have'
Ill seniors often neglect themselves
Posted on Aug 13th 2007 8:38PM by Martha EdwardsFiled Under: Fitness
A recent study shows that age-related illnesses like heart problems, depression and dementia can lead to self-neglect, meaning that seniors afflicted start to lose the ability to perform the tasks necessary to live on independently. And often, a lack of social and family support is to blame for their declining mental state.
This doesn't come as a surprise to me, or I imagine anyone else who has a senior with dementia in their life -- my great aunt would avoid meals at her assisted-living facility because she didn't like being surrounded by what she called the crazy old people (riiiiiight ... ) She often forgot to do her laundry and wore dirty clothes. She left dairy products in her fridge for months and didn't bother to check the expiration date before eating them. She could go for weeks without showering. Now that she's in a full nursing home, we don't have to worry about much because the nurses make sure she eats healthy food every day, and they ensure that she is clothed and clean. But if she had a choice, you bet she'd be living on her own again. Thank goodness she has a family who can see what's going on and make the necessary arrangements for her.
But it's important to note that while some seniors are unable to take care of themselves, others do a fantastic job of it. What do you think separates the capable from the incapable?
This doesn't come as a surprise to me, or I imagine anyone else who has a senior with dementia in their life -- my great aunt would avoid meals at her assisted-living facility because she didn't like being surrounded by what she called the crazy old people (riiiiiight ... ) She often forgot to do her laundry and wore dirty clothes. She left dairy products in her fridge for months and didn't bother to check the expiration date before eating them. She could go for weeks without showering. Now that she's in a full nursing home, we don't have to worry about much because the nurses make sure she eats healthy food every day, and they ensure that she is clothed and clean. But if she had a choice, you bet she'd be living on her own again. Thank goodness she has a family who can see what's going on and make the necessary arrangements for her.
But it's important to note that while some seniors are unable to take care of themselves, others do a fantastic job of it. What do you think separates the capable from the incapable?
