- Mental Health
Mental health is different from cognitive health although both involve our nervous system.
One’s cognitive health involves his or her cognitive abilities. These abilities are brain-based skills. It involves the way we:
- Learn
- Remember
- Solve problems
- Pay attention
On the other hand, mental health talks about the psychological and emotional well-being of an individual. When we talk about mental health issues, we are referring to learning disabilities, social issues, and emotional problems.
The most famous mental health issue faced by our seniors is depression. Because of the decline of their health, seniors are becoming home-bound. Staying at home can bring a lot of disadvantages to a human person. It can sacrifice their social life, therefore, making them prone to senior isolation hence loneliness.
Loneliness triggers depression. Did you know that 7% of the elderly population has depression? The worst thing about this issue is that depression is often either underdiagnosed or undertreated.
However, depression can be prevented. In order to stop it from haunting our seniors, all we need to do is to give them a support system. This support system is extremely effective if it includes their family members, friends, and loved ones.
- Physical Injuries
One of the most common issues that trouble the elderly is their risk of falling. Becoming old can lead to a domino effect. As people grow with age, their ability to do things declines and if these abilities go down, their health follows.
Once their health follows, it will indubitably affect their strength, endurance, and their balance. Once one’s balance is affected, the danger of falling will increase.
In every 15 seconds, a senior is being taken to the emergency room because of a fall. Aside from this, it is a fact that these cases amount to the leading cause of injury among the older adults. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis contribute to the frailty of these elderly individuals.
Sadly, falling is a part of aging but it can be prevented. All we need are people who can help care for these seniors so that they can be given assistance at any time of the day.
If your parents do not want to be in an assisted living facility or be cared for in a nursing home, you can always opt for a home health care service. Such service is provided by Brighton Cornerstone Healthcare.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Older adults are not exempted when it comes to HIV, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted disease. In fact, CDC or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has discovered that on the year 2013, 21% of cases of AIDS in the United States are found in seniors over the age of 50. What is worst is that during the same year, 37 percent of the people aging 55 and older died due to this condition.
Although it is normal for people to lose their desire to have sex as they grow older, some still are willing to satisfy their carnal desires. Because of their weakened immune system, seniors need to use contraceptives like condoms. But due to the fact that they care less in doing so, they increase their odds of acquiring the disease.
According to https://aoa.acl.gov/Aging_Statistics/Index.aspx, older adults make up only 14.5% of the population. These demographic represents people aging 65 and above. It is predicted that by the year 2060, this population would double. Even if the seniors comprise a minority in the population, we believe that they still have the right to be heard and be provided for.
For this reason, Brighton Cornerstone Healthcare has been an advocate of quality home health care in East North Street, Madisonville, KY. And because we care, many seniors have had an improved state of health without sacrificing their comfort just to go to their doctor’s appointment.
We always put into mind the needs of our patients that are why here in Brighton Cornerstone Healthcare, you do not have to go to our clinics to enjoy our services. All you need to do is to give us a call or visit our website at www.brightoncornerstone.com.
Disclaimer
Blogs, content and other media uploaded online are for informational purposes only. Contents on this website should not be considered medical advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to visit their physician for health-related issues.
