Blog #3 : Depression in Elderly

During this assignment, I was given the chance to write about any topic pertaining to the elderly. I chose to discuss the topic of Depression. I consider depression a horrible disease. It has attacked many of my family members both young and old.

Depression in the elderly is usually the result of being diagnosed with an illness or a disability. Many elders suffer from lost of love ones and are not able to overcome it so easily. They become used to their life partners that the everyday friendship is a necessity.

There are many risk factors that can clue family members in on how to detect any sudden changes in their love ones: 

Certain medicines or combination of medicines

Other illnesses

Living alone, social isolation

Recent bereavement

Presence of chronic or severe pain

Damage to body image (from amputation, cancer surgery, or heart attack)

Fear of death

Previous history of depression

Family history of major depressive disorder

Past suicide attempt(s)

Substance abuse

 

 

There are many treatments as well for depression. This is not a disease that should be ignored. Many people can be treated with Antidepressants, Psychotherapy, and Electroconvulsion therapy.

 

REMEMBER DEPRESSION DOES NOT HAVE TO TAKE OVER YOU LOVE ONES LIFE.

 

 

http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/elderly/depression-in-elderly/menu-id-68/

 

Blog 2: Elder Drivers

The question for this week is:

Should Florida adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65?

It is my personal opinion that there should be some kind of testing for drivers 65 and older. There are laws that prevent teenagers at an early age from driving. This not only benefits all the drivers, but also the teen who might not be able to drive correctly. I think that it will only benefit the drivers and the elderly themselves to test them. I know that at some elderly do get tested for their vision. Just as the book explained; it isn't just the sight that fails when a person reaches a certain age. There are many factors that contribute to their overall function during driving. An elderly person usually takes many different medications. Each of these medications have many side effects. Some of these side effects include an alert, which states that the patient should NOT operate any machinery. The influence of prescribed drugs on the eldery contribute to their lack of safe driving. 

I do think that Florida should adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65. This would help the whole state of Florida reduce their accident rates. On the other hand, who will drive the elders around? Some elders do not live with any family members. And some are just to stubborn to ask for help. I can say this because thats my grandfather for you. He would rather live by himself than have anyone offer to hire a nurse to help him. I think this hurts their ego quite a bit by making them feel as if though they cannot take care of themselves. Many elders just like my grandfather have to make daily trips to the doctors and the pharmacy and supermarkets so, this can also cause a bit of an issue. If Florida does adopt these laws, the state must also be prepared to make any arrangements for transporting the elders daily to their appointments.

While reading an article, I found an interesting fact lets say quote with valuable information that reinforces my opinion.

"On the basis of estimated annual travel, the fatality rate for drivers 85 and over is nine times as high as the rate for drivers 25 through 69 years old."  http://www.drdriving.org/elderly/

Aging Stereotypes

 I have heard many stereotypes regarding the elderly. Many of which I have heard are pretty much common such as they are slow, grouchy, and some people have even said they smell! I read an article in which they address the why to these comments. I found this excerpt and found it truthful.

"They are so fearful this will happen to them that they become less tolerant and less sensible," she said. "People are afraid of age, of getting older, because I think the society is afraid of aging"(Jaksic, 2003).

I think that everyone pretty much associates aging with decline mental and physical health.
An age in some cases is just a number, because when people get older people actually become knowledgable, better read, and better educated (Jaksic, 2003).

I think that all of these stereotypes are TRUE! Before writing this blog, I asked my cousin and she answered the same thing! I was a bit distrought to hear the stereotypes.

http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/ageismprob.htm

Farewell to All:)

This is the last blog!! Wow.. I can't believe this class is almost over! I can say that I have learned a lot. I never imagined the amount of information I would process in one semester. I give my thanks for those who stopped by to comment. I appreciate your interest. This topic has become embedded deep in my heart. I will carry the words of the men who spoke in the panel forever! They truly are an inspiration. Everything they have gone through and they still remain hopeful. They are truly heros!

I want to say that without all of this coursework, many of us might have not take this class so seriously. This course is perfect! It should remain the same. It is a way for the professors to make sure that they release their students with enough information that will lead us to make good decisions in the future. It is there passion lets make it ours!

Someone in the panel talked about HIV/AIDS bracelets and this website has really pretty ones! I do think that people need to support this cause no matter what. Right now, I am feeling so passionate I wish I could go and shake people and make them listen and understand. It gets frustating actually.

These are gorgeous! So everyone lets take this class to heart and end your course with a bracelet! This is a great reminder about the importance of HIV/AIDS.

Week of November 16, 2009

Hello Everyone!!

I am excited to attend the panel today! I wasn't able to go to the women's, since I had to take my father to a doctors appointment. I am excited. I really don't know what to expect, but I do know that it will be emotional and surprising. This week I was looking to finish the blog log. I know I needed to log everything down. I did. But I can't find it! I went through each blog and found when I responded! I am still missing some dates and to who I blogged! I know this is horrible! I am disappointed in myself. I just hope I can figure it out. I ended up getting a bit of a migrane.

I am still thinking about the M&M module. How many of you found it amazing? I did. I didn't expect to be so emotional about it! I guess everyday is filled with a surprise. This week I will finish up the paper for the Philadelphia paper. I will also catch up on finding my blogs!!

Since I am a woman, I am always looking for facts on how HIV affects US. I found this quiz online. See how much you know?
HIV and Women Quiz - Viral Diseases

I suggest you read the interesting facts, I did pretty good (missed a couple). Here is the link to many of the interesting facts : http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/HIV-and-Women-187490.html

This semester is going by fast. I honestly can say that this semester I have not only tried to pass my classes. I have learned lots. And the stuff I have learned is from this class! It has been educational and interesting!

DYK: Many of you live in Florida or close by and for those who don't I will share a great organization that I found right here! It is located in Pensacola. It is called Appetite for Life. They provide food for HIV/AIDS patients. "Our mission is to provide nutritious, high quality meals at no charge to persons infected with or affected by HIV/ AIDS or other terminal illnesses and who are physician or case manager referred. This is accomplished through one of our three programs: Home Delivered Meals Program (HDMP), Food Pantry Program (FPP), and Ensure Nutritional Supplement Program (ENSP). We do not receive any government funding; our programs are funded by private foundations, individuals, and earned income" (Appetite for Life, 2008).

Just by reading this, I tear up. It is so wonderful to see ordinary people help one another. There are still people that care. It is not necessary to be rich or have access to thousand or millions all YOU need is a good heart and great intentions. These people are wonderful!

http://www.appetite4life.org/index.html (check it out)

HIV/AIDS BLOG Week 11/9

Hello Everyone!
Well this may sound strange, but I decided to research HIV/AIDS in Japan for this week. Why strange? Well, I had a dream I was in Japan. This is why it made me think about it so much.
I really love the course CD modules. They are very informative. I told my brother about the CD and he wants it! I told him he is going to have to wait until I am done with the class. I don't want to give it away to him and then not have it! Call me a worry wort! But I like to keep my CDs in my possession.

I will start with some good facts about Japan that will really open your eyes to how HIV/AIDS is affecting nations all around the world

DYK:

"The number of new HIV cases and AIDS diagnoses in Japan hit a high of 1,545 in 2008" (The Japan Times, 2009).

"According to the health ministry, 1,113 people were found to be infected with the HIV virus that can lead to AIDS, and 432 others were diagnosed with AIDS" (The Japan TImes, 2009).

"This is the sixth consecutive year that a record number of new HIV cases has been reported, and the third straight year that a record number of AIDS diagnoses has been made" (The Japan Times, 2009).

Of the new HIV/AIDS cases, 964 people were infected through homosexual sex; 365 through heterosexual sex; and 10 by shared syringes. People in their 30s composed the largest number of new HIV/AIDS cases at 559, or 36 percent, followed by those in their 20s (377) and 50s (283). Males made up 1,442 of the cases.

"Although Japan still has one of the world's lowest ratios of reported HIV cases, this is no reason for people to lower their guard" (The Japan Times, 2009).

I thought that this last statement was surprising. Japan still has one of the lowest ratios of HIV cases?? So, just imagine everywhere else around the world. This means that EVERYONE should take an active role in making sure HIV/AIDS awareness is ACTIVE.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20090309a2.html

Blog 9

This week I saw the movie Philadelphia. Let me just say it is an exciting movie. I will not give it away for those who plan to see it, but this movie just reinforced some of the issues and thoughts I have had since taking this class. Lets just add that Tom Hanks and Denzel were AMAZING!!

This week I decided to research Armenia. This is a country not many people think about, but I decided to look for an overlooked country.

DYI: These are a couple of facts that pertain to Armenia

HIV/AIDS incidence remains low, but there is little awareness of prevention strategies, especially among vulnerable and high-risk youth.

Estimated adult HIV prevalence rate (aged 15–49), 2007
0.1

Estimated number of people (all ages) living with HIV, 2007 (thousands), estimate
2.4

Estimated number of people (all ages) living with HIV, 2007 (thousands), low estimate
1.8

Estimated number of people (all ages) living with HIV, 2007 (thousands), high estimate
3.5

Mother-to-child transmission, Estimated number of women (aged 15+) living with HIV, 2007 (thousands)
<1.0

Paediatric infections, Estimated number of children (aged 0–14) living with HIV, 2007 (thousands)
-

Prevention among young people, HIV prevalence among young people (aged 15–24), 2007, male
0.2

Prevention among young people, HIV prevalence among young people (aged 15–24), 2007, female
0.1

Prevention among young people, % who have comprehensive knowledge of HIV, 2002–2007*, male
15

Prevention among young people, % who have comprehensive knowledge of HIV, 2002–2007*, female
23

Prevention among young people, % who used condom at last higher-risk sex, 2002–2007*, male
86

Apparently, Armenia has managed to remain low statistics when it comes to HIV/ AIDS. Why do you think this is?
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/armenia_statistics.html#55