A major overriding problem of the elderly is the problem of poor physical health. Our senior citizens are sick more frequently and for more prolonged periods than the rest of the population.
They suffer some kind of chronic ailment; have heart disease or high blood pressure, arthritis or rheumatism, impaired vision, and hearing impairments.
All in all, the aged spend on the average twice as much money for medical care as do younger ones. Obesity is another problem among the elderly. For example, 51 percent of the males and 59 per cent of the females, 60 to 69 are overweight. Of all the curses that shorten life and restrict health, overweight comes first.
eldergym
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They suffer constantly from at least one, often more than one, chronic condition. And accident rates go up with age, causing many forms of illness and disability. One third of the elderly are eking out an existence at or below poverty level. In order to have any type of physically neurotic, a half wit or a non-intellectual.
It boils down to this: women must fight for a change in the definition of the feminine woman. Why should they be totally passive, dominated and dependent? Are these the only attributes, which make them attractive in the eyes and minds of men? Let them realize that it is so because the men have only their eyes open.
Such people will not accept women who are independent, have qualities of the head, are intellectually superior, are forward looking and can take a man on his own ground without getting defeated. In other words, such women will be termed masculine because they pose a challenge to the brittle ego of the male.
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The small minded, shrunken male will never accept such a woman. His facile argument is that she is not feminine enough. But this does not mean she is intellectually inferior.
Rewarding life at all, an elderly person in this society usually must find some way to augment his income. There are many things that can be done, but what it really boils down to is this: (l) he must either lower his expenses, or (2) find a part-time income, or some other means to supplement his regular income.
Retirement is taking a great deal of the older generation out of work. More are retiring. But do they want to? Or are they being forced into retirement? Executives of many firms complain of having trouble getting their employees to retire at 60 when they could have retired at 55. Companies are discovering that the vast majority of blue and white-collar workers who could retire early simply don’t want to!
The trend to earlier retirement can only lead to an increase in mental illness. When people have one of their main aims in life – work – taken away, their incentive is gone. They feel .useless.
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Many realize that retirement and a life of leisure is not the answer. A man, who has spent the past 30 years on the job, cannot be “put out to pasture”. The change is just too great. Of course, for vast numbers, the years spent on a job have not been fulfilling. Perhaps it would be best for them to make the break, switch to something they would enjoy more, perhaps on a part-time basis.
The wisest move any elderly or middle-aged person can make is elderly or middle-aged person can make is to plan for his plus – 65 years well in advance. The lack of planning has caused untold heartache and misery for far too many elderly already.
One of the major contributors to health problems is the lack of proper nutrition among the elderly. Medical journals state that 75% of our senior population suffers from malnutrition.
Some studies reveal that most people over sixty suffer from six to eight nutritional deficiencies.
Many older people have retreated into isolation. They are frightened, confused, and don’t feel useful. They develop malnutrition simply because they lack the interest in eating meals alone. Serious health problems can result from malnutrition. Many have not been properly educated as to what constitutes a balanced and nutritious meal.
Health is imperative to success of any kind. Even in the latter years, one should continue some form of exercise and watch his diet so he may have good health. Man is what he eats.
Many physicians and surgeons have said that 90 to 95 percent of all sickness and disease come from a faulty diet! This area, as so many others, badly needs action.
Poor health is merely an effect – an effect of the lifetime habit of poor nutrition or of physical injury. The normal condition of the human body, even during advanced age, should be one of health, not sickness.
Many live in the deteriorating corners of our large cities. Many are forced to reside in cheap and dirty housing accommodations. Only five per cent elderly live in an institution or rest home. Others are bedridden shut-ins. Nearly seven in twenty five live with someone not related or alone.
Many own their homes. Usually these homes are clear of debt, but often old, and in bad need of repairs. Many times they are too large for the needs of the elderly.
Many of the aged are residing in the old houses. Others are staying in voluntary homes, institutions, old people’s homes, and a few in their own private homes.