older people’s health issues
Indirect Influences on Health in Older People
Response to age related changes
Older people may have difficulty , such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and development of disorders. In response, older people may feel lonely, useless, powerless, or sad. They may lose their self-esteem. They may worry about becoming a burden to their family. They may become depressed, especially if they have a disorder that leads to temporary or permanent loss of independence or when they see their friends and loved ones die. These feelings may make older people less likely to see a health care practitioner, possibly delaying the diagnosis of a serious disorder. But research has shown that older people cope with these challenges better than younger adults. Age-related changes and older people’s responses to them can make treating disorders in older people complicated. Thus, older people often benefit from Interdisciplinary care —care provided by a team of health care practitioners working together. This team may consist of doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, pharmacists, and psychologists. The care team evaluates the person’s needs and plans, coordinates, and implements care, including social services. Team members actively look for possible problems and take measures to correct or prevent them. 