whats the worst fear of an elderly person?

Answer 1

being alone

Answer 2

being ignored, disrespected and considered less than human. by this i mean being treated as less viable and having little else to contribute to the world at large. younger people tend to dismiss the elderly as "has beens". not thinking they are "will be's" if they should live so long. the phrase; out of the mouths of babes and into the hearts of elders comes to mind. it ain't pretty what they (the elderly) mostly hear either.
being preyed upon by whomever (thugs, con artist etc.), fear of neglect, no help when they are ill or disabled and warehoused senior living arrangements. separation into an environment of only elderly people, without the interaction of younger people is in my opinion, more often detrimental to the overall health of the elderly, than their growing old. many of the elderly are often depressed, even if they have regular visits from or live with younger extended family members. many fear what most people do at any age...total dependence upon others, for their safety and care.

Answer 3

There are several answers because each person is different. I know that a lot of them do not want to be out of the place they can take care of themselves. Hell who wants to be in a nursing home. Being alone is a fear of any human being. Except isolationists. For some its losing their sanity or memory. Falling and getting worse off. I sometimes wish that the bomb had gotten me, but I lived and don't get me wrong I'm not as bad off as my fellow patriots, but it sucks being disabled.

Answer 4

Actually, I have worked in a hospital and I would say dealing with the elderly isn't alot different than dealing with children. Be kind, and be prepared to repeat things because your patients might be scared.Don't expect them to know or be able to do some of the things you might be trained to do.If they are upset, it might be because they want to go home or they are in pain.Use some common sense.

Answer 5

This comes from a great source my Grandad who is 91 today and lost my Nan on the 27th Jan loneliness they had been together 70 years and married for 66 years and he just wants to be reunited with her again xx

Answer 6

Fear of falling. The patients I x-ray (elderly) seem to be quite concerned with falling most of all.

Answer 7

My father of 92 is leaving me after living with us 17 years. I have nursed my mum until her death last November. My father says he wants a life now. So if he ends up alone that's down to him. No wonder people don't want to bother with old people. They get something in their mind like a child and that's it. Old age is something that hopefully comes to all of us, it's life running it's course, but people don't face up to it very well.

Answer 8

I believe it has to be Alzheimers disease. In the early stages, they know that something is wrong and to lose one's precious memories has got to be one of the worst things possible. The end stages of Alzheimers is even worse..sometimes they forget how to swallow and have to be fed thru a tube. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy

Answer 9

i`m elderly & the only fear i have is can i afford another bottle of brown ale.

Answer 10

i work with elderly people and there fear is loneliness,people with dementia tend to call for there mothers,its friggin heart breaking sometimes.

Answer 11

I think in this country they fear many things
but i think its loneliness and i think dying alone that would be my fear when I'm old