how do the elderley feel? (psychological problems) when loosing their independence?

Question

im studying problems associated with the elderley in the community setting.. would like your view

Answer 1

I work for social services, older people's team... They feel very down and try to keep themselves as independent as possible. Luckily this is also the aim of the Government, to promote independence and ensure that the elderly community is able to stay in their own homes as long as practically possible.
You can always contact charities like Age Concern, who also run discussion groups around the needs/feelings of older people, for more information or if you want to get involved on some level.

Answer 2

At 83 I feel entitled to make the following comments.

Charities are political in the main and of little practical help except handing you over to another charity.
Care in the community means profit for developers of NHS real estate, savings for more government wastage, and money for time share sellers that have now opened care homes where the profit is gigantic.
£30,000 a year per person with little or no staff and illegals where there are.
Independence for the aged is relatively new because it is the only way left for them to live.
Visit Germany and see their care system.
We are lucky to get a third of what you see there.
I work hard and keep myself fit to look after my wife.
When she goes I will follow quickly.
This is old age today in the UK for the lucky ones.

Answer 3

After being fit and active for 80 years my Grandma sufffered arthiritis in her knees and glaucoma (she lost her sight). She became very depressed, angry, frustrated because she was housebound due to the arithritis and hated relying on people to do her shopping. She was never happier than when she had visitors to sit and have a cup of tea with. She stayed in her own home until her death at the age of 90 years.

Answer 4

My mother is loosing her Independence slowly due to her ill heath in getting about. I now have to take her shopping and although she is now used to it and enjoys it she did not at first.
She felt as if her Independence had gone, very frustrated and also felt as if she had lost her pride and dignity by me taking her. I managed to reassure her that she was not putting me out and that I have to shop myself and that it was no problem. Also the advantages of my car and not buses and taxis cheaper for one and safer.
She now really loves shopping with me and I always let her go off under her own steam and never question what she buys. I respect the fact she is getting old but she is not stupid in the head and her mind is as young as it always has been.
I think that if more had a better approach to the way the speak to them and understand without patronising they are better. We all have to get old some day we cant avoid it so i treat her the way I would like to be treated.
In answer to your question frustrated, angry at themselves, loss of dignity,pride which all leads to depression and illness.
it would have been easy for me to just do her shopping but at the end of day it would have destroyed her emotionally so I come up with a compromise good for her.

Answer 5

I am 83, and live in assisted living. I do everything for myself except prepare my food, and I have a car that I drive regularly. I have a complete office setup in my room with an all-in-one laset printer, dedicated fax line, photo setup with digital camera, and maintain my independence. I am one of the fortunate one who has kept my mind and body except for a few arthritic changes. I would hate losing my independence.

Answer 6

terrified! they know their days are ending, they go to bed at night wondering if they will wake, if they have any good memories they wish they could relive them, if their memories are not to good they wish there was some way change the past while still holding on to the good things. their waking hours are watching more able and younger people caring for them, filled with envy. have you ever wandered why some seem to give up and die for no other reason than they've lost the will to live! i think 2 words could could scrape the surface and just begin to answer you'r question and that is "TERROR"and "HOPLESS"

Answer 7

- disempowered
- devalued
- loss of citizenship
- increase in stress
- loss of hope
- depression

There is research to suggest that some older ppl pass away soon after being placed in a home as they the will to live. From my own experience, I know of ppl who would rather pass away in their own home than have their independence taken away in a residential placement.

Answer 8

Come on - think about it!

How would you feel (at any age) if you had to become totally dependent on others!

Frustrated, humiliated, angry, depressed to name but a few!!

Answer 9

The elderly (note spelling) hate losing (note spelling) the ability to spell correctly.

Answer 10

The most common complaint is frustration.