Let’s spare a thought for the elderly

Those who did some exercise, but less than the advised amount, were still 22 percent less likely to die, the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports.

Those who did some exercise, but less than the advised amount, were still 22 percent less likely to die, the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports.

Published Jan 15, 2014

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Cape Town - I have noticed with great concern the increasing number of elderly folk who are dropped off at local hospitals during the holiday season. These folk have no specific complaints and yet there are requests for them to be admitted.

The phenomenon is seen at state and private hospitals. In many cases, the children and caregivers are exhausted – and who can blame them?

Often they have left by the time the doctor evaluates the patient. For casualty units this can be frustrating because of their heavy workload.

 

The typical scenario is that families want to relieve themselves of the burden of taking care of their elderly family members when the holidays approach. It is also disturbing to note that the elderly are often barely kept alive in many homes and are used for the pension money they bring in. This is the reality on our doorstep.

There are different ways of looking at the situation: the patient versus the relative or carer perspective. Most of us underestimate the cost of retirement, with safety and retirement villages becoming a luxury that only a handful of our parents can afford.

The psychosocial dynamics are huge for many children; they have to fend for their own families in increasingly challenging times. And they have to deal with the guilt of not being able to care for their parent who sacrificed so much for them. Is loyalty and care born from guilt or true appreciation?

I cannot explain the sadness it brings when we discuss the lack of care for the elderly in all our communities. Whose responsibility is it? There aremany cultural and spiritual opinions.

What’s your take on looking after the folks and grandparents? If you haven’t thought about it – it’s time to do so.

I look forward to hearing your insights via e-mail, about caring for the elderly and the load placed on the community in coping with the special needs attached to the frail.

Some typical issues surrounding care for the elderly are:

* Polypharmacy and non-compliance

While younger people often combine alcohol and meds, older folk tend to share their drugs far too easily, trying to help a friend. It’s a case of: what worked for my headache will surely cure the neighbour’s problem.

There is often a lack of insight into taking the meds as instructed and in some case, forgetfulness and ignorance about the complications that arise from combinations certain drugs.

It is essential to establish whether medication should be given under supervision. Imagine the effects of a granny taking five warfarin tablets a day and developing a spontaneous brain bleed.

* Malnutrition and dehydration

As we age, we often have to cook for one. This can be further compounded by difficulties around mobility issues and poor appetite.

The habit is: I don’t eat because then I have to go to the toilet and that either takes too long or is too painful. A lack of hydration leads to many medical problems such as constipation and renal failure.

* Money

When last have we taken an interest in the pensioner’s rate of inflation?

* Sleep and behaviour

It is news to many people that your brain shrinks as you get older.

The normal physiological process of ageing includes atrophy of the brain.

Cognitive decline is evident at different rates and degrees in humans. Environmental and genetic factors contribute to the loss of brain function.

The genetic predisposition to dementia is also a reality and we should do all we can to optimise our brain performance.

Insomnia is a reality and most of us have heard that older people tend to need less sleep. This is interesting as I often chat to elderly patients who say they sleep from say 9pm to 3am and then cannot fall asleep again – yet they don’t feel tired.

* Hygiene and personal care

The deep impact that growing old has on our self-esteem and our mood is often overlooked.

How many of us think about what it must be like to have difficulty chewing a piece of steak, never mind getting to the toilet on time.

Then there is also the mental shift of letting go and accepting that you cannot do all the things you could before.

The loneliness of losing social circles to lifestyle diseases adversely affect the human spirit.

We all wish to age gracefully, surrounded by our loved ones and to feel comfortable in our surroundings.

In this new year let’s just spare a thought and consider the elderly perspective on ageing. It will be you one day.

* Dr Darren Green, a trusted figure in the field of media medicine, is a University of Stellenbosch graduate who adds innovative spark to health and wellness issues.

He features on 567CapeTalk, and is a regular guest on SABC3 and the Expresso show. Dr Green works as an emergency medical practitioner at a leading Cape Town hospital and completed four years of training as a registrar in the specialisation of neurology.

If you’ve got medical problems, contact the doctor at [email protected], 021 930 0655 or Twitter @drdarrengreen. Catch him in Cape Town on 567 CapeTalk, most Fridays at 1.30pm.

The advice in this column does not replace a consultation and clinical evaluation with a doctor.

Cape Argus

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