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Emotional Withdrawal or “The Fog” of Memory
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most challenging signs to observe. You may realize that your family member is increasingly quiet at dinner time, or maybe they do not call their friends anymore. It seems like they are gradually withdrawing the curtains from their life.
It should be remembered that memory issues usually coincide with emotional withdrawal. It is not only about searching for lost things, such as keys; rather, it involves losing track of what they used to say for years, or even asking the same questions again after ten minutes have passed. Sometimes, such behaviors can be the first signs of cognitive impairment, but at the same time, they may indicate another medical condition called pseudo-dementia, in which depression causes similar memory issues.
According to the findings of National Institute on Aging researchers, forgetfulness is a common symptom among older adults, yet if it interferes with health and wellbeing, it is important to act.
Your most powerful weapon is patience. If they tell you a story twice, act like you’ve never heard it before. If they forget a word, allow them the chance to figure out what it was rather than completing the sentence for them. Dignity usually correlates with the ability to converse.
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Slower Healing and “Linger-on” Illnesses
Don’t you think it’s strange that when they get a small scratch from something on their arm while gardening, it persists after several weeks? Or even that a common cold leaves them completely bedridden for up to a month?
One of the changes the body experiences when aging is known as “immunosenescence.” In essence, the immune system fails to react as quickly to infections as it used to. Not only do the “first responders” slow down in reaching a site of injury, but also the skin itself becomes thin and less well-supplied with blood, thus making any wounds heal slower.
This trend is also indicative of a person’s general lifestyle: slower healing can lead to a fear of falling or getting hurt, which in turn leads to less movement and more isolation. It’s a cycle that feeds itself.
Monitor the medicine cabinet. Make sure they have everything required to care for their injuries and that they remain well-hydrated. Being dehydrated is a big cause, and easy one to rectify, of delayed healing and skin problems among older individuals.
