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For as long as most of us can recall , care of the elderly in Pakistan has been synonymous with identifying a Carer ( or 2 ) for the elderly to help them with their ‘ activities of daily living ‘ ADL .
It also involved ( somewhat) restricting the elderly to their homes perhaps in order to avoid risks of falls , or being lost due to failing memory issues .
I must mention here that “ elderly “ does not necessarily mean 70 or 80 plus individuals. It may be someone at 65 .
I must mention here that “ elderly “ does not necessarily mean 70 or 80 plus individuals. It may be someone at 65 .
Unfortunately medical assistance in Pakistan is of variable quality and credibility which means that many elderly parents are on polypharmacy ( too many medications for same effect ) which In turn is a huge risk due to side effects of medication and it’s regularity / irregularity
I find certain similarities in how we care for #children and #elderly within our society which I would like to bring your attention to .
The emphasis of “ care “ at both age groups is generally to make the subject More dependant as oppose to independent.
The emphasis of “ care “ at both age groups is generally to make the subject More dependant as oppose to independent.
THIS is highly deterimental at both extremes of ages . We take away their confidence in things they ought to be doing at a certain stage .
Elderly may or may not have associated medical problems like diabetes / hypertension / mobility issues / Parkinson’s/ memory decline etc but what I feel we don’t do , is assess their ability for ADL and risk of falls and then consider what they may or not be able to do .
We restrict them as a blanket of protection and get others to do things for them which unfortunately causes decline in cognitive abilities ( due to lack of use ) decline in muscular ability / restriction of movement ( due to lack of use ) and general deterioration .
I haven’t yet written about the psychological effects of such restriction / inability . It is really sad that a lot of elderly within Pakistan and elsewhere have been further restricted from their social contact and abilities due to #Corona , hence causing #depression .
As for their ability to involve in ADL ( eating , self care , hygiene etc ) our aim should be to enable them to do it themselves ( to the best of their abilities ) for as long as they can .... with some assistance to help them if required as opposed to taking those abilities out
Of their control and allowing others to do them .
Yes , some may not be able to finish jobs like changing clothes / finishing meals but that’s when he’ll can come in .... instead of from the start .
Yes , some may not be able to finish jobs like changing clothes / finishing meals but that’s when he’ll can come in .... instead of from the start .
