Wrapped within the comfort of youth, thoughts of aging yield to freedoms associated with unknowingly, knowing the inevitable is decades into the future. Our lives take on twists and turns until one day a slow progression begins to race to an unwanted finish line; or at best the marker that states GRAY HAIR UP AHEAD, DEBILITATING HEALTH TO THE RIGHT, and POSSIBLE MEMORY LOSS.
Medical advances have lengthened the human lifespan to extend past common illness and viral conditions. The adult population 65 and older has increased by 20% and continues to rise at a rapid rate. Surprisingly, the medical community is ill-equipped to handle this living trend as a result of minimal amount of physicians who specialize in the field of Gerontology. Responsibilities in this area require sensitivity, compassion, and patience when dealing with older adults who may suffer from weakening mental faculties. It would require someone who can identify concerns without full competent consultation from the patient. (Ryder, & Ryder)
Prior generations dealt with medical issues that have been, practically, diminished as a concern because of the advancements in treatment. Thus, the limit on trained professionals equipped to handle this increase. The life expectancy was shorter prior to the onset of research and studies that opened a floodgate to medical cures increasing health and extending life.
This extension crosses over the line into chronic and debilitating diseases. Arthritis, dementia, osteoporosis, and respiratory failure, to name a few, require management that is not an easy task for the senior community. These chronic attackers compromise living independently without assisted care. Subsequently, the question of quantity over quality of life is answered with decisions that challenge ethical or moral judgment.
There are many factors that play a role in chronic illness but three lead the way as key; genetics or family history, physical activity, and diet. Benefits of physical activity aid in the decrease in functional decline, along with improving pulmonary health. Dietary management, be it over nutrition or under nutrition, can be the cause and effect to fractures, bone density, deficiency, and malignancy. Add on the oversight of ancestral ailments and the gap in life expectancy shortens.
Unfortunately, with age factored into the equation limited is the ability to manage the affects of these predisposed conditions. Partnered with mental incapacities, weigh the burden of adequate care for senior loved ones on their families. Painstaking decisions surround location, due to the open discussion of minimal training of caregivers in a facility, in addition to provisions for caregivers to provide in house care for seniors who want the comforts of home. I learned there are more who choose to complete their life journey in their own home even if it means bypassing the necessities for their survival. In our youth we speak of living our fullest life well into the golden years, but the harsh reality is more and more elderly adults just want a restful peace and freedom from aging. (Woo, 2000)
My role as a nurse comes with many rewards and heartaches. The topic of aging and the many factors that are never-ending conversations in the world of health care, inspire me to continue formal education in this industry. The importance to remain updated on new technologies, information, and advances in treatment could be the dynamic in the quantity; decision to continue the fight or quality; decision to resign at home with or without care. The capacity to view aging and every corner of the process in various stages has a lasting impression on how I can be beneficial to the life of another.
References
Ryder, RJ, & Ryder, RP. Selecting a doctor [Web log message]. Web.
Woo, J. (2000). Relationships among diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors and debilitating diseases in the elderly. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 54(Suppl 3), Web.