Difficulties Caused by Age and Life Circumstances

Particularly, difficulties caused by age and life circumstances. Here are a few most common problems faced by seniors:

Physical and Mental Health:

Many older folks have maintained good mental and physical health. However, as we begin aging, the biological effects come into play, and our muscles and bones start weakening, leading to limited mobility, loss of eyesight, and hearing.

Elders also suffer from dementia, along with Alzheimer’s disease, which affects around 10% of people above the age of 65, growing to 32% in people aged 85 and above.

Due to such physical or mental health conditions, aged people need assistance with at least one everyday routine activity such as bathing or cooking.

Bereavement, Social Isolation, and Loneliness:

Aged people tend to have fewer chances for social engagement than younger age groups. They get retired from jobs, children move away, spouses pass away, and ultimately, they may become housebound if they lose the strength to drive or fall ill.

Bereavement is always a painful event. The grief accompanying the death of a spouse or partner can last for quite a long time, further emerging into anxiety, depression, isolation, and other problems. Out of all these concerns, loneliness is perhaps the most familiar and the most challenging one to overcome.

Research shows aged people who live alone often encounter social isolation and constant feelings of loneliness, causing sadness, illness, and even death.

Financial Security:

Being financially secure and independent is one of the major concerns of any individual, especially in older age when most seniors live on a fixed income after retirement. The constantly rising cost of living can pose many financial limitations on elderly people. They may not be able to sustain or afford the same way of life they had been accustomed to. An additional unexpected medical expense can make them fall further behind.

Although several older adults receive social security benefits that help increase their income, two-thirds of those who survive solely on social security payments are bound to live below the official poverty level.

Unemployment or underemployment is a significant problem for older people. In addition to the usual challenges faced by any job seeker, aged workers encounter biased practices, stereotypical attitudes, and a negative self-perception. These self-defeating attitudes can be addressed with the help of an expert counselor.

Retirement is a critical and often traumatic event resulting in restlessness as opposed to the notion of relaxing. Many experts consider pre-retirement programs a holistic approach for managing post-retirement life effectively.

Caregiving for Older Adults:

Giving care to an older adult is a complicated and often uncharted region for many of us. Taking care of elderly care issues can be very stressful, sending even the healthiest person into a tailspin. Counseling can prove beneficial to family caregivers, helping them reduce physical and mental exhaustion. It can also assist them in caring for elderly parents and resolving elderly care problems precisely.

So don’t hesitate to contact our experienced and well-qualified counselors, who are ready to serve you in every possible way.

Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org/Find-Support/
(800) 950-NAMI