If, like most people, you’re carrying a few extra pounds (or you did when you were younger), this added weight increases your obesity health risks, which includes physical disabilities in your golden years.
This comes as the result of some new research recently released. Recognizing that the elderly population in the United States is getting growing all the time (expected to double by 2030 to about 20% of the adult population), problems with mobility may well be a major concern for all of us.
To participate in the study the subjects had to be functioning well, living in the community and healthy – free of life threatening illness. There were a total of 2,845 participants, of an average age of 74 years old. (more…)
Depression disproportionately affects the elderly. Unfortunately many times the signs of depression can be confused with signs of aging. In order to properly diagnose and treat depression in the elderly, individuals, their care takers and health care providers need to be vigilant in looking for the signs and symptoms. Depression in the elderly can be debilitating and effect other areas of health. Determining if depression is involved is an important part of the health screening process.
Warning Signs of Depression
When dealing with the elderly and depression, some detective work is often needed. It is important that the elderly and their caretakers know the signs and symptoms of depression. As the elderly tend to have a lot of confounding factors coming into play at the same time which affect their health, symptoms of depression are easily masked as signs of aging. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person. Some common signs are:
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Difficulty focusing, remembering and staying on task
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt, emptiness or helplessness
- Sleeping too much or insomnia
- Eating more or less than normal
- Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed before
- Crying for long periods of time
- Thoughts of suicide (more…)
Depression disproportionately affects the elderly. Unfortunately many times the signs of depression can be confused with signs of aging. In order to properly diagnose and treat depression in the elderly, individuals, their care takers and health care providers need to be vigilant in looking for the signs and symptoms. Depression in the elderly can be debilitating and effect other areas of health. Determining if depression is involved is an important part of the health screening process.
Warning Signs of Depression
When dealing with the elderly and depression, some detective work is often needed. It is important that the elderly and their caretakers know the signs and symptoms of depression. As the elderly tend to have a lot of confounding factors coming into play at the same time which affect their health, symptoms of depression are easily masked as signs of aging. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person. Some common signs are: (more…)
