Indeed, there is an increasing amount of recognition for the varied sectors of the older population, with more research attention and services provided to these sectors. The Internet also provides increased opportunities to help older people maintain and regain control over the services they choose to utilize.
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (n.d.), for example, provides evidence of research into the older demographic and the way in which chronic conditions might affect their lives. Particularly, mental health is a concern, since the loss of mental faculties could also mean a basic loss of control over everyday functions and tasks.
According to the Assocation, there is an estimated 20% of people over 54 years who expereince some type of mental health concern. Commonly, this demographic tends to experience anxiety, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders. Often, these conditions could lead to a lack of joy or satisfaction in life and finally even to suicide, or at least to severe depression. Otherwise able-bodied, healthy individuals, for example, might be subject to these conditions and suffer an unnecessary loss of basic functions and contributions to society, which in turn causes further depression. In this way, it becomes a type of cycle from which it is very difficult to break away. An awareness of these statistics, however, will help professionals who work in aging to provide the necessary services that can help these people continue to contribute to the world around them. Such help, in turn, could also lead to an improvement in the ability of older people to continue contributing to the economy, which in turn would lead to less strain on the existing care system.
The Association also emphasizes that depression is not a normal part of growing older.
Hence, the condition can and should be treated, which would potentially alleviate associated conditions and suffering. According to the Association, social support forms a vital part of providing services to older people who are at risk of suffering from depression. Hence, the research should focus not only upon identifying the prevalence of the problem and its...
This would lead to more healthy older people who can contribute to society and the economy in a much more effective way. It is therefore not only in the interest of older people that such conditions be investigated and mitigated, but also in the interest of society and the economy in general.
One important factor is to help older people establish control over their own lives and decisions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) provides online health information for older adults. Via a number of links, any interested person has access to targeted and relevant information on topics such as health statistics, brain health, caregiving, and even emergency preparedness. Having such information available at the touch of a button could be incredibly empowering, especially for a person who has begun to feel that his or her life has become out of control.
The NIH Senior Health (2012) website focuses on the importance of physical exercise for maintaining health into older age. Again, this is something that an older person can access on his or her own or with the help of a caregiver. Physical exercise has also been proven to not only be physically beneficial, but also mentally. Older adults who take part in physical exercises, for example, are less likely to succumb to depression. This can also lead to more social interaction, which is another important component of older age. It is therefore vitally important that older people be provided with targeted services to meet their diversified needs.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012) Healthy Aging. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/aging/
NIH Senior Health. (2012, June). Retrieved from: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. (n.d.) the State of Mental Health and Aging in America. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf
Niles-Yokum, K. And Wagner, D.L. (2011). The Aging Networks: A Guide to Programs and Services. Springer Publishing Company
