The first thing we usually think about when considering issues affecting the elderly are health and mobility problems, and, of course, they are a major concern for many older people. However, there are also social issues to contend with such as isolation and loneliness, financial issues due to reduced income and feelings of inadequacy after retirement when people no longer have a working role in society.

With almost a quarter of the world’s population predicted to be over 60 years old by 2050, according to the World Health Organisation, the unique health and social issues associated with aging are set to become increasingly more important in the coming years. Encouraging the population to take preventative measures against a decline in health, for instance, before they reach old age, will become critical if our health services are not to be overwhelmed in the next few decades.

Equally planning for retirement and a new phase of life in our later years is also essential in order to avoid the social issues such as less human interaction, loneliness or low self-esteem which can result in social isolation or depression.

As we age the ability to do everyday tasks that we may have previously taken for granted is likely to decline for the majority of the population. These abilities are also impacted because older people tend to have more health problems than younger people. However, declining abilities are not just the result of underlying health conditions but can also be due to social issues.

You can read more about health issues affecting the elderly further down the page. But let’s first take a look at the most common social issues facing people as they get older.

Social Issues Affecting Older People

It is important to recognise that aging does not have to have negative connotations and older people can be valued, respected members of a community. There are plenty of older people who live full, active, independent lives with few health or social problems; but people with health or social issues are equally able to live satisfying, fulfilling lives. Sometimes society assumes older people will be less physically able or less mentally alert but this is clearly not always the case and not all older people conform to the typical stereotypes.

Mobility problems, for instance, do not affect mental capabilities so even though someone might find it difficult to get around unaided they can still take part in activities and past-times that don’t require agility.

Nevertheless, there are some social issues that are more likely to affect the quality of life of older people. Here are some of them:

• Loneliness from losing a spouse, partner or close friends that formed their main circle of acquaintances and their social life.
• Social isolation because adult children are busy with their own lives, careers and families and do not live nearby.
• Retirement – losing a sense of self-worth and a reason to get up in the mornings.
• Grief from the loss of a spouse or life partner
• Losing contact with family members
• Marital/Partner status – you may become widowed or divorced
• Living accommodation – this may have to change due to financial issues, an inability to maintain a larger property or due to later-life divorce (which is becoming increasingly common)
• Unable to manage everyday activities such as shopping and cooking
• Difficulty accepting the physical changes caused by aging
• Bored by retirement and the associated lack of routine
• Financial concerns due to the loss of a regular income
• Eating habits can change as you age, especially if you live alone
• Fewer social activities to become involved with
• Acting as a family caregiver (maybe to a spouse or partner)

Let’s take a close look at some of these issues affecting the elderly…

Being a Family Caregiver

Family caregivers play a key role in caring for chronically ill older people yet they may themselves be elderly and have their own health problems. They may ignore their own issues in order to prevent their loved one having to move into a residential care home or nursing home.

This is just one reason it is important to be aware that there are other care options that don’t mean your loved one needs to leave the family home. Home care services can provide help during the day to support the family caregiver and, if necessary, a carer can live in your home to provide for more complex care needs. In-home care can be permanent or temporary, for instance during a rehabilitation period after surgery.

Other support services such as “Meals on Wheels” can also alleviate the burden for an elderly family caregiver.

Although being a carer can be very rewarding, when the carer is also older it can result in exhaustion and isolation as they are no longer able to take part in their own social activities. To avoid caring becoming an unmanageable burden here are some coping strategies:

• Don’t neglect your own physical, emotional or recreational needs – if these aren’t being met you won’t be able to provide good care for your loved one.
• Ask for help and practical support from other family members or consider some form of homecare.
• Find out about respite care in your local area to give yourself a break from time-to-time.
• Find out about local support groups for family caregivers so you can meet people in the same situation.

Relocation

It’s very common for people to move house as they become older – many people will have long dreamt of moving away from a town or city to the coast or countryside for a better quality of life once they are no longer tied to where they work. This can be the perfect opportunity to down-size or right-size to a home that requires less maintenance and upkeep. Or it could be a time when people choose to move to new home on a warden-assisted site or in a retirement village for independent living but with support available if needed. It may even mean moving in with adult children.

Moving house is stressful at any age but moving in later life to a different area can be particularly difficult. It means getting to know your new location and community and adjusting to the differences. It means finding a new doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacy, library etc. Some people do not respond well to relocation, even if they know it is the most sensible decision and it can take time to adjust to a new environment both within the home and in the wider community.

Where we live and how happy that place makes us feel is important to our well-being. So even though it may be a sensible decision, taken rationally, it still has to feel right. Don’t be pushed or persuaded into moving if it doesn’t feel right.

Adjustment to the new environment will be much easier if people have control over the move and have actively chosen to move for themselves. Of course there may be financial considerations and keeping on a large family home, with all it’s associated upkeep, for one or two people may not be the sensible option. Freeing up some of the capital for a better standard of living may be preferable but only you can make that decision.

If you have chosen to move then acquaint yourself with the new location well in advance and you are more likely to feel comfortable with the relocation and view it as a positive step.

Self-Neglect

When living alone it can be easy to start neglecting things like personal hygiene, to avoid cleaning and maintaining the home, not eat properly balance meals and not take prescription medicines when necessary. Social isolation, depression or impaired mental faculties, such as in the case of those living with dementia, can all contribute to self-neglect.

However, what might seem like self-neglect could be the result of a decline in physical capabilities making it difficult to wash and dress or to clean the house. If this is the case, talk to your doctor or social worker about getting help with these tasks for yourself or a loved one. There are plenty of homecare services available for as little or as much help as you need.

Common Elderly Health Issues

It is almost impossible to separate issues affecting the elderly from their underlying health conditions. So here we also take a look at the most common health issues affecting the elderly and their quality of life.

Cognitive Health

Dementia is the most typical cognitive health condition affecting older people in the UK and worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates that around 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease but there are actually several different types of dementia with different symptoms and treatments. Understanding Dementia better will help support those living with dementia and their family members who often provide unpaid care during the early stages of the condition. It will also help to raise awareness of certain risk factors for developing dementia such as depression and smoking for example.

Physical Injury

Falls in the older population are one of the most common causes for hospital admissions; they can result in serious injuries such as hip fractures and the consequences of reduced mobility after a fall can be life-threatening for the elderly. As we age our bone density decreases and our muscles become weaker and less flexible. This means older people are more likely to lose their balance and more likely to fracture or break a bone when they fall.  Previous research from our Better At Home report revealed that in the UK six people over 65 suffer a fall every minute and 30% of over 65s and 50% of over 80s fall at least once a year . A month after suffering a hip fracture 1 in 12 people will have died as a result of the injury and only half will have returned home.

Incontinence

Incontinence is a common problem with aging and can affect the quality of life of older adults. As with so many elderly health issues a good diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can all help with incontinence but there is also very effective medication available from your doctor so don’t be too embarrassed to ask.