HEALTH OF THE ELDERS

HEALTH OF THE ELDERS

Elders or Senior citizens are people who are 60 years and above in age.  They are generally retired personnel and most are grandparents.

There are about 700,000 people in this age range in the world today. It is estimated that by the year 2050, elders will number about 2 billion and about 20 % of the world population..

In Nigeria, life expectancy is put at 54 years. In the developed world, life expectancy gets as high as 80. Even though our life expectancy is below the elders’ age, with better education and healthcare as well as improved standard of living, the elders’ population in Nigeria will surely follow the world trend.

The worry we have with the larger population of the aged is that most will be found in the developed world ( say 60%) and  40% of the developing world live below the poverty line. They as such cannot pay for health needs. The governments of the developing countries and Nigeria in particular must begin to prepare for the ELDERS’BOOM coming.

Today there are more children, in 2050, there will be more elders than children. School runs will be replaced by Old Peoples Club runs. We need Old People’s Home where they go in the morning and are picked back home in evening. Our houses must begin to incorporate design for elders (Disabled). We need less of steps and relocation of master bedroom to the ground floor. Hand rails would be necessary in corridors to avoid slip on wet floors. Everything must be done to help elders avoid falling as 30% of elders have probability of falling due to hypostatic and dimmed vision. Manufacturing, businesses and investments must begin to think in the direction of the elders.       

Traditionally, our families take care of us, but today it is at best Husband and wife only. We need hospitals to take care of elders. Medical care for elders should be free.

 We need to begin to build Elders’ Homes just as we have Orphanages today. Geriatrics must form core course in nursing and medicine in  the developing countries. We need special seats for the elders in our public transportation systems .Banks should give special attention and care for elders. The Pension scheme must be properly developed and secured for the elders’ sake. If you live long enough, you are likely to end up an elder.

Aging is a process and not a disease. The process gathers momentum from 40.There are three diseases that exploit this process and are associated with old age. They include: Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer and Infection (Pneumonia). This article will say a bit about cardiovascular diseases in very common parlance.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES affect the heart and its vessels and can lead to stroke.. Risk factors include: Hypertension, Diabetes, Physical inactivity, Obesity, Smoking and Excessive intake of alcohol.

We can control all these risk factors but:

·         Aging cannot be controlled as it sets off degenerative conditions and increases the risk of Diabetes and High Blood Pressure.      

·         Hereditary issues can also not be controlled by medicine but by the name of the Lord.

·         Women below 50 produce hormones that reduce cardiovascular diseases, but above 55 or as menopause sets in they become like men..

·         The black race has a higher probability of developing cardiovascular diseases.

HYPERTENSION is called a silent killer. Once your Blood Pressure exceeds 140/90, you are hypertensive.  It can lead to sudden death-slumping. It is worse under stress. Problems associated with High Blood Pressure include Stroke, Heart Failure; amputation, Eyes and Kidney problems.

CONTROLS hinge around lifestyle modifications:

·         Reduce salt intake

·         Reduce your weight

·         Get recommended exercises that involve the whole body-like dancing, walking for 30 minutes or more every day.

·         Increase fruit and vegetables intake.

·         Take your drugs regularly.

If you observe and do these things, you shall come to your grave at ripe old age and as a shock of grain goes up(to the threshing floor) in its season.