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