Age old problems
A recent YouGov survey has shown that only 5% of people consider themselves well informed in relation to illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
In the UK alone there is said to be 700,000 people who suffer from some form of these diseases and I can only imagine how difficult it is for a family to see a loved one going through such a decline in such a short period of time.
62% of those surveyed said they would not encourage a relative to seek medical advice for their memory loss because they believed it is just a natural part of ageing. I think we have to take better of old people but the general lack of respect across the board can make this difficult in the modern age.
We are living in a time where medical emergencies are never treated quickly enough because of delays in the health system and so the chances of old people’s health problems in a quick and efficient manner looks like a tough challenge to fulfil.
Forgetting places, names, who people actually are and general paranoia are some of the signs of dementia, but they are also just some signs of basic old age. In fact I would argue they are just some signs of normality. Ask any journalist after being introduced to someone for the first time and I guarantee you that they will remember nearly everything they had said in the conversation but would struggle to remember their name.
I think the mind can be so fragile that sometimes it can only take the slightest change to push everything off balance. I often wonder how older people manage to live alone and in pain which we sometimes ridicule them for but do not fully understand.
The most frightening thing about dementia to me would be losing control, the period of time when you cannot decide what is right for you and you have to let others help guide and run your life.
It is almost like a return to childhood. Much like Shakespeare stated in the Seven Ages of Man:
his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything
William Shakespeare, As You Like It
Saturday, September 29th, 2007 and is filed under Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
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