Old Age

oldage changes

2009-08-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

As we grow older, our body experiences physical changes. The changes that come in you with age are dependent on many factors like lifestyle, disease and environmental factors. These changes can be worked upon to alter your ageing process. People age differently so what is true for one may not be for another. However, there are some changes that are common to ageing.

With age skin becomes much drier, less elastic and fragile. Skin becomes drier and wrinkles appear. Due to less production of natural oils the skin tends to bruise easily and age spots occur. Skin also experiences a reduced ability to regulate body temperature by losing or retaining heat.

This makes older people more and more inclined to the effects of heat and cold. Hair becomes gray and thin. The effect of thinning is especially more prominent in men. Exposure to the sun play a major role in ageing of skin. So the more you are exposed to the sun, more are the chances of the damage to the skin. Skin cancer is a concern and its risk becomes higher once you reach an age of 65. With ageing teeth may began to fall out. Though most of the adults can keep their teeth. But the teeth and gums become susceptible to infections because of lesser production of saliva. Dry mouth is a common problem. Teeth become brittle and can break easily.

Grandparenting

2009-08-13T04:15:00.000-07:00

In most of the families in India, both the parents are employed due to economic necessity or due to the desire and willingness to work. So the children need someone to look after them when the parents are not around. But that is not all. The elders should take on the role of an active grandparent, and not only give the grandchildren love and affection but also instil in them a sense of responsibility, moral values and teach them to face the world and its realities.

In today's world, Indians have spread out far and wide and this has created a huge physical distance between the grandparent and the grandchild. But they can always keep in touch by telephone or by writing letters. In this context, e-mail is the greatest link. Elders need not own a computer. There are internet (computer) centres all over India. It is quite easy to learn basic computing and e-mail. providing much needed self-assurance that their near and dear are only a few clicks away.

As parents, the elders have given their children their life, educated them and most often enabled them to earn a decent living. Whatever maybe the social problem, youngsters must realize that they should care for their parents and the other elders in the family.

Elders should first of all make an effort to understand the socio-economic conditions, careers and family of their children. They should try to adjust and not interfere in the day to day affairs and problems of their children's family. Unless asked, they should patiently refrain from giving advice. They should not compare the attitude of the youngsters of today with their own attitude when they were young.
They could try to assist in the day to day affairs of the family, like taking the grandchildren to school, doing the bank work or paying the bills. Interaction with the grandchildren most often refreshes the minds of the elders and infact delays the ageing process.
Though some people prefer to be left alone, solitude is one of the main problems for elders.

2008-04-16T01:04:00.000-07:00