A country for old men

Japan is known to have the world’s oldest population due to a number of reasons: improved nutrition, medical developments, better health care, education, and economic well-being. The Asian country seems like a great nation for the seniors, but the growing number of older adults is putting a strain on the country’s economy.

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The new Japanese government is no comfort for many old Japanese people. Straight from the mouth of Finance Minister Taro Aso were harsh words that painted Japan as a place that will soon to be an unwelcoming fortress for its ageing nation. Also holding the position of deputy prime minister, Aso said the following during a meeting of the national council on social security reforms: "Heaven forbid if you are forced to live on when you want to die. I would wake up feeling increasingly bad knowing that [treatment] was all being paid for by the government. The problem won't be solved unless you let them hurry up and die." The comments have caused offence not only in Japan itself, but also in other countries.

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Meanwhile, in the United States, there has been an official report saying that Americans are sicker and die younger than other people in other wealthy nations. And many took this report unacceptable and unfavorable, since, like Japan, the United States is a wealthy nation, and could afford its citizens high-quality health care.

The stark difference between the two nations though is that the US values its seniors, and strives to answer to their needs. America’s leaders devise and maintain solid programs for the elderly.  Privately-held healthcare institutions that cater to seniors are also ubiquitous. The US, though still far from perfect, still is a pleasurable country for old men.  

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BrightStar Care is a healthcare institution that offers top-notch care for children, adults, and elderlies. Learn more about how it takes care of seniors at its official website.

Anticipatory grief: Dealing with a dying elderly

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They say when you conquer death, you can conquer all fears. But for the families of a dying elderly, conquering the thought that their loved one isn’t going to be with them for long requires endurance and courage. These people have to endure seeing their loved one grapple with pain that worsens over time, a scenario which puts the entire family in constant state of emergency. In addition, there’s stress from managing finances, funeral plans, and end-of-life care needs.


As they can only do so much to manage the gloomy experience, a better option is to anticipate loss before it actually happens. Though it cannot make coping with loss easier, anticipatory grief breaks down the whole lot of burden into chunks, enabling family members to see through the situation and manage fears bit by bit.


 
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When there’s still time to prepare, families can begin accepting the loss by envisioning life without the dying person – they can now assign someone else to do the things the dying elderly used to do, like cooking for the whole family.


Anticipating grief is also an opportunity to get closer with a dying loved one. Family members can make amends or resolve issues. If the dying person is religious, families can join him in praying, or they can talk about his last wishes whenever he is willing to open up.


 
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Though anticipatory grief is one of the hardest kinds of grief to deal with, family members should make the most out of the situation, and focus on the positive. After all, life doesn’t stop – life goes on.  


It is BrightStar Care’s passion to care for the elderly. Learn how you can make life easier for the elderly by visiting this website.

Family care and fighting the winter blues

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Winter is hardly a season of joy for the elderly who are confined at home or at the hospital because of an illness. Their inability to join in the celebration could result to an intensified feeling of loneliness and loss, often leading to cases of winter depression. Accordingly, one of the best means to fight the winter blues is by interacting with family members and other loved ones.

The winter blues involves more than just being sad or upset. It cannot be likened to a mood change that passes within a short period of time. Known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it affects millions of people, young or old. There are many theories as to what causes the condition, but the reality of the disorder and its effects cannot be discounted.

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There have been reports of old people brought to the hospital because of SAD. The winter blues can cause people to lose appetite, which can then result to malnutrition, weakness, and dehydration. This nutritional imbalance could cause further incoherence in behavior and worsen the depression.


To fight the blues during winter, experts advise sufferers to socialize. Spending time with family and friends can help lighten the mood and lift them from the clutches of anxiety and depression. Interacting with kids is especially effective for elderly people going through SAD. For others, mere company is enough to keep their spirits up. Even care professionals from various agencies like BrightStar Care are now trained to give their wards companionship during the time when they need it the most.

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BrightStar Care provides assistance to its patients and their families for them to enjoy the holiday season. For more information about how the agency can help you and your loved ones, visit this website.