Let me say it out loud: “Aging is not a medical event!” Normal aging does not require hospitalization. It is a natural process, a part of life. In fact, most people live their entire life at home.
But what happens when an older adult gets sick? Usually, they continue to stay at home. And they recuperate with much less risk of infection and a higher level of satisfaction than is possible in a hospital.
The limits to aging in place have more to do with safety, nutrition and security than medical events. Is the house or apartment a safe place that is designed to minimize the possibility of falling? Is there proper provision for nutrition so that regular healthy shopping and eating are a part of the aging lifestyle? Is there a risk for fire or for crime to occur? And is the older adult still driving when it is past the time when they can accomplish it safely?
Aging is a completely natural process
The process of getting older is a completely normal one. It starts from the moment of conception and continues all the way through the life cycle. The manner in which a person matures is influenced by a variety of elements, including genetics, physical health, diet, mental health, and unknown additional factors. Some researchers in the field of science believe that people have an internal “biological clock” that would keep ticking for over 100 years if they did not suffer from any diseases or illnesses.
As the population of this country continues to get older, there will be an ever-increasing demand for information regarding the natural ageing process. It used to be unusual for families to have more than three generations still alive, but these days it’s not unusual for families to have four generations still alive. After the age of 60, the lives of many people continue to live a healthy life for another 25 – 35 years. But unfortunately many people are unprepared for this natural phenomenon.
Aging and social life
Then there is the question of social life. Is the older adult alone too much of the time? Is this leading to despair and possibly even depression and thoughts of death?
The answer to these questions or limits doesn’t have to do with buildings or building material. It doesn’t have to do with a physician or a nurse. Rather, it has to do with human care and kindness.
The social and emotional lives of a person does change as they become older. The area of social networks is limited. Emotions that have been experienced are more stable and less prone to change. Negative feelings grow less common and both the quantity and quality of one’s social roles shift over time. Increased time and energy are being invested in meaningful connections. When someone’s physical functioning is impaired, it makes certain social activities that were previously simple more difficult to execute. Conversations get more difficult when sensory input is lost. And the regulation of the functioning of the physiological systems is impaired.
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Why is a social life important for the elderly?
It is no secret that social life is important for people of all ages. Socializing allows people to interact with others, share common interests and experiences, and form bonds that can last a lifetime. A social life is important for the elderly because it helps them to stay connected with the outside world. It can also help to prevent them from feeling isolated and lonely. Additionally, a social life can help to keep them active and engaged, which can improve their overall health and well-being.
According to the opinions of several experts, there are particular kinds of social interactions that can influence one’s cognitive health. According to the findings of one study, persons who had regular social interactions experienced a 70 percent slower loss in their cognitive capacities compared to those individuals who had minimal social contact with other people.
Active seniors are more likely to also be socially active. Socialization and activity go hand in hand. Coming out into the world and interacting with other people gets us moving. The simple act of attending to a party or paying a visit to a friend requires you to move around, even if you aren’t actively engaging in physical activity as a group. This may have a significant bearing on one’s general state of health. Regular exercise lowers both the likelihood of contracting diseases and the severity of their symptoms.
Senior living communities can provide the solution that you’re looking for if you’re concerned about the wellbeing of your elderly parents or other loved ones. Finding a senior community that offers its residents a wide range of social activities in addition to a number of amenities can be beneficial to a person’s ability to live a full and happy life as they age.
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Aging in western world
For years family members have helped their elders as they got older. In some cultures elders have even been given a special place of honor so they are included as important components of the society. But that is not how it is in contemporary in western world. It is important that we come to terms with the difference.
Here we rely on caregivers to provide support for aging adults. They are either family members or paid caregivers who provide the safety, security, nutrition, transportation and socialization that seniors need to live a normal live.
These caregivers offer kindness and companionship, help in preventing falls, do driving, cleaning and cooking—and generally make it possible for seniors to continue to live alone in their own homes despite factors of age and frailty. With all this, it is safe and sensible for seniors to continue to age in their own home without thought or need for institutionalized medical care.