Depression is not a normal part of aging, but nearly 20% of the older population—twice the rate of younger cohorts—experiences it. Even more troubling, only half of seniors with mental health problems gets treatment of any kind, and less than 3% get treated by a mental health specialist.
By the time people are over 65, illness and personal loss have likely started to intrude in their lives. Sadness and grief are normal reactions to these situations, but sadness and grief do not equal depression.
"Older adults are fairly resilient considering the stress many of them are under," says Joel E. Streim, MD, a geriatric psychiatry specialist at the University of Pennsylvania.
"Many older adults are losing companions and spouses, coping with physical disability and dependence, or moving to senior housing. And we know that relocation is one of the most stressful events in anyone's life. So when depression does occur, it is an illness that must be treated."
Depression is persistent and interferes with a person's ability to function in daily life. It robs people of their peace of mind and their enjoyment of simple pleasures; makes them feel worthless, unlovable, and irritable; and can contribute to early death.
Depression hits the elderly hardest
Suicide is the most feared complication, and it hits older adults harder than any other age group. In 2004, people aged 65 years and older accounted for 16% of all suicide deaths in the United States even though they comprised only 12% of the population.
That same year, 14.3 in 100,000 people age 65 and older died of suicide. The rate in the general population was 11 per 100,000. The older people get, the worse it gets. For every 100,000 white men age 85 years and older, 49.8 committed suicide. Depression is to blame for many of those deaths.
Why depression gets missed
"Depression gets missed in geriatric populations for several reasons," says Kenneth Robbins, MD, a psychiatrist who runs a geriatric inpatient unit in Stoughton, Wis. "The assumption is that because people are older and they've had a lot of losses, 'How could they not feel depressed?' And so, they don't treat a major depression that would be easily treatable."
While it's true that depression is not a normal reaction to aging, the risk of depression increases as people age and become more debilitated. The rate of depression in older people living in their own homes, who get around pretty well and are in decent health, is in the range of 1% to 5%. The rate goes up to about 13% in people who need home health care.
Aging can worsen existing depression
There's another side of depression in the elderly. Sometimes it's a continuation of a problem that existed when a person was younger. Aging doesn't cure depression, and time definitely doesn't heal all wounds.
"I've been in and out of therapy throughout my adult life, and I'm still in therapy," says Evelyn, 90, who lives outside Boston. Evelyn has struggled with eating problems since her kids were born, and several therapists have confirmed that her difficult relationship with food is a manifestation of her depression.
Lots of medical problems get more complicated as you age, and depression is no exception. It can be harder for doctors to diagnose, and treatment is sometimes trickier. But effective treatment is available. You need to find a doctor who will be diligent in getting to the source of your symptoms and persistent in finding the best possible treatment for you.
Source: http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188647,00.html
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Internet Surfing Stimulates Your Brain
New research suggests that a little bit of Googling goes a long way toward keeping your mind fit.
This small study doesn't confirm that using an Internet search engine like Google is healthy for the brain. But some middle-aged and older subjects who spent time searching for information on the Internet did show signs of more brain activity than those who simply engaged in reading.
"Just a simple, everyday computer task seems to be activating neural circuits," said study author Dr. Gary W. Small, director of the University of California, Los Angeles, Center on Aging. "It's possible that this is something that strengthens our brains as we do it."
Small and his colleagues launched the study to see how brain activity differs in people who are accustomed to using computers and those who are new to them. In the larger picture, Small said, he wants to understand how the brains of younger people might be wired differently from those of older people because of long-term exposure to computers.
The researchers decided to look at middle-aged and older people, because more of them aren't familiar with computers.
In the study, the researchers recruited 24 people aged 55 to 76. Half had extensive experience with computer searches, while the other half did not.
The researchers put the subjects in an MRI machine and tried to replicate the experience of Googling. While the subjects didn't have keyboards because the space inside a scanner is small, they could see a computer screen through goggles and use a keypad to move a cursor.
Researchers told the subjects to search for information about topics such as the health benefits of chocolate, the locations of nature walks and car-shopping tips. The scanner measured their brain activity as they searched.
The findings were expected to be published in a future issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Small also discussed the study in his newly released book, "iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind."
Brain activity was much higher in the subjects who had previous experience with Internet searches. Much of the activity "occurred in the frontal lobe, which is involved in complex reasoning and decision-making," Small said.
The Internet search-experienced subjects also showed more brain activity when they searched on the Internet than when they simply read text.
But the subjects who weren't acquainted with Internet searching picked up the skills and boosted their brain activity after searching an hour a day for five days, Small said.
It's possible that Internet searching could be good for the brain, he said. "There's a lot of interest in brain fitness and exercising our brains to protect them from future decline. One possibility is that a simple task like searching on the Internet activates our brains and may be protecting them in some way."
Still, "we want to not overdo it with the computer," he said. "It's great that we're working out the frontal lobe of the brain, but it's good to take a break and have conversations with people, work on the part of the brain involved with face-to-face human contact skills."
Paul Sanberg, director of the University of South Florida College of Medicine's Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, said it's indeed possible that Internet searches could enhance the brain. "There's evidence that the more the brain is active, the more the brain makes connections," he said. "That keeps it functioning better and provides neuroprotection."
Source: http://healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=620302
Saturday, October 11, 2008
No time to Retire and stay ideal !!!!!!!!
They are free spirited and flamboyant, they wear their hearts on their sleeves and live life with an energy that’ll put many hot-blooded youth to shame. They are whom we’ve tagged as senior citizens, as ‘retired’ from life. Just when we assume that the sun of their lives is on its way down, they rise up to shine so bright that youngsters only witness it, astounded. In the ripe years of their lives, they are looking at new career avenues, taking up hobbies they had overlooked for years and doing their bit for the society as well. They are the alpha individuals, living as if there is no tomorrow. On the occasion of Senior Citizen’s Day that is just aorund the corner (Oct 1), let’s celebrate these young hearts!
We talked to a few such individuals who just refuse to slow down with their age and lead their lives with the same zest and vigour that helped them sail through many ups and downs so far.
Such a long journey
Former sportswomen Arnawaz Damania, 70, sounds so feisty that you stop to wonder if it’s a young girl you are talking to. She says, “Right now, I feel on top of this world. When I look back at the way I’ve spent my life I feel content. It’s a life well spent. The most important thing according to me is to be happy and live well. The young blood says ‘go go go’ but when you age, you start seeing things in a different light.” The attitude is positive and the experience wholesome. As Bharti Vadgama, 58, puts it, “I’m satisfied with all the efforts I’ve made in life till now. I have lived my life fully. I don’t think much about the past as it is bygone and I don’t even fuss over my future. We are humans and we do commit mistakes in life. The important thing is to maintain the optimism all the while.”
Vadgama, currently an intern with a hospital in the city, also has a story to tell that can very easily be turned into an inspirational read. She narrates, “When I was 16, I wanted to be a doctor but couldn’t pursue it because of some problems. So now, after retiring from a teaching job, I took up a hospital management course and now I’m interning for the same.” Vadgama has students younger than her own kids as her classmates and they see her as a guide, while the faculty treats her like a welcome link between the students and teachers.
Dr Rajendra Nandedkar from Indore, 62, retired from his job some time back. He then decided to take things easy and relax at home. But after a year, he realised that he was simply wasting his time and was losing touch with all he’d learnt over the years. He says, “I felt rusted. That’s when I joined a private college called IPS Academy as a lecturer. It’s payback time and I’m doing my bit for society. That the students don’t come to attend lectures is a different story,” he jokes.
It’s a win-win game!
With an upbeat attitude that is coupled with better judgment, the so-called oldies certainly seem to have an edge over the younger generation. Interestingly, the people on the other side of 60 are more willing to take risks than before. In fact, Lallan Pandey, 65, President, Jai Hind Projects Limited, Ahmedabad believes that everybody should take risks, regardless of the age factor. “It’s symbolic of the fact that you are alive. If you know in your heart that you’ve done no harm to anybody, it’ll bring courage to take risks. This ability comes from integrity and has got nothing to do with age,” he opines. Vinay Mohanlal Mundada, 63, has retired from the post of an advisor to Force Motors Limited and is game for taking risks too. According to him, it’s a way of life. “Taking risks is inherent. The appetite to achieve is still there. The risks are more reasonable though,” he states. He backs it up with his own example. He says, “I’ve been dealing with auto industry for 40 years now. I’ve been a staunch advocate of the right technology and we at Force Motors came up with minidor vehicles, and it was the first time that the vehicles were made locally. The confidence that comes from these things gives you the strength to venture into new things.”
Dr Nandedkar adds a whole new dimension to the idea of taking risks. He says, “I like taking risks. My opinion is that it’s about trying to see feasibility rather than possibility in situations. So that’s what I try to do now.”
Vidhubhushan Dixit, who is pushing 60, is gearing for his retirement from the post of a Sales Tax Officer in Allahabad. But his tryst with activity is not over yet. It’s apparent when he says, “I can risk more and risk freely. There are no responsibilities now and no fear.”
Raring to go
Setting goals and targets is one of the many things the ‘young at heart’ senior citizens never cease to do. And the kinds of goals they have are so varied, yet thoughtful that it amazes one and all. Take for instance, Damania. At 70, she is heading an NGO called Connecting that works towards prevention of growing cases of suicide among youth. Says she, “At the NGO, we even have youngsters helping us out.” Vadgama also comes up with her exhaustive list. She enumerates, “After I retired as a teacher, I worked from home selling handicrafts to NGO stores. Now I plan to take up a job in a hospital after my internship is over. If a job doesn’t happen, then I’ll volunteer.”
Meenu Chawdhary, 68, is an Economics major based in Assam and has worked alongside her husband in the family business. Currently the lady is a member of the Juvenile Justice court there. “There’s still so much to do. We’ve been having meetings regarding the cases of drunken driving in the region. I myself have requested the CM to stop opening wine shops in Assam, but to no avail. Then, there is also an alarming increase in dowry deaths in the state, which is sad considering the fact that dowry system was never a part of the Assamese culture. I feel your prosperity and development are of no use if you can’t bring 10 other people with you. So I intend to work in this regard,” she says.
Join in the celebration!
While the youth might find themselves complaining about ‘not being understood’ and the conflicts that arise from ‘generation gap’, there are many in the older lot who are ready to embrace the differences and accept changes that come with time. Sarita Wakalker, trustee, Indira Group of Institutes and a racing enthusiast is 70 years of age. She says, “Youngsters learn what they are taught at home. And I think, they are quite well-behaved. We should always stand by our kids at all times. And they should be given their due space because everyone is entitled to a free life.”
Some are also of the opinion that the attitude of youth towards old people is something that can’t be generalised. It depends on individuals, circumstances and the social milieu. Kumar Kiwalkar, 68, is the president of Non Residential Indians Parents’ Organisation. He says with his worldly wisdom, “It’s all about reciprocating. We should try not to become a hindrance in their way of growth and most importantly, should give advice only when asked for.”
But while they are ready to change with the times, there are some hesitations that the youth has to be considerate about. According to Mundada, older people do not rely on new technology like net banking and e-mails like the younger ones. He says, “This is one of the differences. We are still a little skeptical about technology.” With a little patience from both sides, the meeting point seems close enough.
So while our good old grannies and grandpas are busy enjoying and making the most of their lives, let’s all take a leaf or two out of their books, learn from their experience, share their enthusiasm and together say cheers to this wonderful thing called life!
Source: http://beta.sakaaltimes.com/2008/09/29143841/No-time-to-retire.html
Life starts at 60, Enjoy IT
Cliched notions about that grannies and grandpas spend their time reading novels, playing cards and circumbulating parks, are well, wrong when it comes to many modern day senior citizens.
Source: http://beta.sakaaltimes.com/2008/09/30145532/Life-starts-at-60-better-say.html
Right from learning difficult dance moves to searching for jobs, the elderly have now shifted gears and are found engaging themselves in activities that one could not associate them with till some time back.
Today’s senior citizens, who spent their youth rebuilding their lives post-Partition, are into more productive, stimulating and entertaining activities even in the twilight of their lives.
Investment in health insurance and pension benefits schemes is a part of the metaphorical dawn.
They can be seen discussing investment plans with insurance agents, browsing the Internet to seek financial concessions available for senior citizens and watching business news channels to remain updated on the fluctuating market in dices.
65-year-old Ramaswamy, who lives in an old age home in the capital, keeps abreast with the latest market developments to invest in pension benefits and other health insurance policies to safeguard his future and for the financial support it privies in the absence of a regular income.
“We are living separate from our children. I have saved some money but it is fast diminishing. If I stop earning through the market, who will take care of me and my wife. Our son has invested in health insurance but that is for his tax benefits,” says Ramaswamy, who has invested in Post Office Monthly Income Scheme and Senior Citizens’ Savings Schemes, that gives him a 10.5 per cent return, apart from switching funds time to time in fixed deposits of different banks.
According to a report by HelpAge India, India is home to over 80 million elderly. The figure is expected to increase to 177 million by 2025. Around 89 per cent of the people over the age of 60 are not covered under any post-retirement economic security schemes, according to “old age social and income security”, a project commissioned by the Indian government in 2000.
“Arguably, this is the next market that investment companies are looking to tap. Various investment plans for those above sixty years are availably in the market currently with the most popular being fixed deposits (FDs) which give them one to one and half per cent extra rate of return. Post office savings, Unit Linked plans and reverse mortgage are others specially designed for senior citizens,” says a market expert who did not want to be named.
“Without cover retirement plans’ are also popular as it gives a regular income as pensions. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) is also planning bring out new regulations under which senior citizens can hope to get health cover even after the age of 65,” he adds.
Investing for long term profit gains are not the sole channel for these veterans who are also finding themselves fit enough to begin a second career in the field of their expertise.
“I find myself fit for an eight hour job. I don’t think there should be an age limit for retirement. Why politicians have the privilege of serving the nation for an unlimited period? I have applied for a job through a website and waiting for the call. Experience always matters and I am fit enough,” says 62 year old Prakash Chawla, a retired mechanical engineer.
Recently, Dignity Foundation, a Chennai based NGO in partnership with ICICI launched www.dignitysecondcareers.org, the first job portal in India meant exclusively for senior citizens offering both part-time and full time jobs in the corporate sector as well as the social sector.
Mathew Cherian of Helpage India, a Delhi based NGO, says, “We are demanding the implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007, which makes it obligatory for children and heirs to provide maintenance to senior citizens. We are also asking for the set up of a technological assistance law for the elders. They should treated as par with others which would definitely help them in addressing the financial and emotional security in the country.”
Many people in the age group of above sixty are even learning dancing to use best of their time and keep themselves in shape.
“I have never done dancing in life. But after a suggestion from a friend, I have recently joined a dance class and I think it is as beneficial as yoga or exercise. My doctor cautioned me not to do difficult moves but I will soon start salsa classes too,” says 69 year old Ashish Madan, who resides in a suburb of the national capital.Source: http://beta.sakaaltimes.com/2008/09/30145532/Life-starts-at-60-better-say.html
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Register for Special Computer Class for Senior Citizens
After sucess of Pilot project ,"Silver Inning Foundation" in association with "Sterlite Foundation" is pleased to announce the commencement of registration for our 2nd Batch for Computer Education for Senior Citizens.
In first batch we trained 50 Seniors ,Now we are ready with 12 centers in Mumbai.
Retirement is mandatory at a certain age for those who are in employment and voluntary for the self-employed. Whether it is at 50, 58, 60 or 65, it brings some sudden changes and harsh adjustments for which seniors are little prepared. Suddenly they find themselves without work, without contact with their co-workers and without any goal to look forward to. Though computers are a necessity for communicating with their children residing abroad the seniors find it difficult to overcome this fear though technology has never been restricted to a particular age group or strata of society.
We have set our goal to Train seniors in computers (feared by many seniors), helping them develop a liking and make them comfortable with technology, promote voluntary work (to utilize their time) and learning at the centers after the training.
Sterlite Foundation - 022- 22826005,22810418 / 09322512096
Silver Inning Foundation- 09987104233
PS: We also Invite application for new centers to start computer course for social cause any where in Mumbai / India.
Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
Sailesh Mishra
Founder President - Silver Innings Foundation,A dedicated Organisation for Elders and their Family Members
Monday, October 6, 2008
Respect your elders. Value their experience
SENIOR CITIZENS of India are being alienated - either in their own homes or in exclusive homes, called euphemistically, ‘old age homes’. Sons and daughters live with their parents until they start a family. Once they start a family, they start treating their parents as ones from another family.
The resultant separation has two dimensions to it. One is physical separation and the other is emotional separation. Indian law provides for the son or the daughter to acquire a new ration card once the son or daughter gets married. The ration card so issued keeps out the names of the parents. This is the first instance of separation.
The second is emotional separation, arising from the daughter-in-law ill-treating her in-laws. The son, instead of raising his voice to her, moves the parents to an old age home. If the couple is working abroad, the aged parents are moved to old age homes to ensure their safety.
The desire for nuclear family on the part of the young couples results in the alienation of the parents. For the youngsters, the immediate issue is their personal lives and not taking care of their aged parents. Youngsters must realise that they are what they are only because of their parents and other elders.
At a certain point of time, the teens begin to believe that they are capable of leading lives on their own. The attractive salary packages the youngsters are able to command even at the beginning of their career leads them to believe that they are superior to the previous generation. But in the process, they miss out on the positives that the emotional bonding between the two generations can bring about.
Youngsters must understand that the number of years they have been on this planet (or their age) is at best equal to the experience of the elders, in terms of the number of years. They must value the suggestions of their elders since such suggestions are culled from valuable experience. During childhood, parents make us comfortable by showering love, care and affection on us. They provide moral, economic and emotional support to the children.
But once the children take off, they leave their parents in the lurch. Factors such as modernisation, westernisation and globalisation lead our youngsters to lose their faith in the joint family system. Globalisation has led to our elders leading a lonely life. The ill-informed youngsters blindly fall for globalisation and insult the parents – the very people who have made the youngsters what they are. Youngsters must understand that they will become old too; the next generation may treat them the same way they treated their own parents. Father is the role model for the child. If a young father ill-treats his father, the child, having witnessed it at close quarters, will treat its own father the same way, once it grows up.
My dear youngsters please do not forget that what goes around comes around. Respect your elders. Value their experience. Share their feelings. Lend a helping hand to them. Remember, you are what you are, because of them.
By Itzmecharu
Source : http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=143681
The resultant separation has two dimensions to it. One is physical separation and the other is emotional separation. Indian law provides for the son or the daughter to acquire a new ration card once the son or daughter gets married. The ration card so issued keeps out the names of the parents. This is the first instance of separation.
The second is emotional separation, arising from the daughter-in-law ill-treating her in-laws. The son, instead of raising his voice to her, moves the parents to an old age home. If the couple is working abroad, the aged parents are moved to old age homes to ensure their safety.
The desire for nuclear family on the part of the young couples results in the alienation of the parents. For the youngsters, the immediate issue is their personal lives and not taking care of their aged parents. Youngsters must realise that they are what they are only because of their parents and other elders.
At a certain point of time, the teens begin to believe that they are capable of leading lives on their own. The attractive salary packages the youngsters are able to command even at the beginning of their career leads them to believe that they are superior to the previous generation. But in the process, they miss out on the positives that the emotional bonding between the two generations can bring about.
Youngsters must understand that the number of years they have been on this planet (or their age) is at best equal to the experience of the elders, in terms of the number of years. They must value the suggestions of their elders since such suggestions are culled from valuable experience. During childhood, parents make us comfortable by showering love, care and affection on us. They provide moral, economic and emotional support to the children.
But once the children take off, they leave their parents in the lurch. Factors such as modernisation, westernisation and globalisation lead our youngsters to lose their faith in the joint family system. Globalisation has led to our elders leading a lonely life. The ill-informed youngsters blindly fall for globalisation and insult the parents – the very people who have made the youngsters what they are. Youngsters must understand that they will become old too; the next generation may treat them the same way they treated their own parents. Father is the role model for the child. If a young father ill-treats his father, the child, having witnessed it at close quarters, will treat its own father the same way, once it grows up.
My dear youngsters please do not forget that what goes around comes around. Respect your elders. Value their experience. Share their feelings. Lend a helping hand to them. Remember, you are what you are, because of them.
By Itzmecharu
Source : http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=143681
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Report of World Elders Day 2008: UMANG -Senior Citizen Talent Show
UMANG
Senior Citizen’s Talent Show
1st October 2008
INTRODUCTION:
On the occasion of World Elders Day’2008 on 1st October’2008, Silver Inning Foundation organized a program for Elderly. The main purpose of this program was to provide a platform for Elderly to display their talents. This was not a competition between Elderly but a forum to encourage them to demonstrate their hidden talent. This idea came about during a meeting with members of FESCOM .Mr.Vijay Aundhe , General secretary of FESCOM reported that cultural programs are organized for seniors but no programs are held in which seniors perform for others. He informed us that there is no platform where seniors could show their stage talent.
Information about this event was given on Silver Innings website www.silverinnings.com and through other net base groups. Ten entries for different art performances (skit, one act play, singing, street play, mimicry, drama) were invited for the program. There were some elders who got information about UMANG on the website and we visited some senior citizen associations to inform them about the program.
PROGRAM REPORT:
This program was held on 1ST October’2008 at Gala Community Hall in Santacruz (West) from 4.00 to 6.00 pm. Around 85 people were present for this program. Although 10 entries were invited for this program, in all we got 21 entries, but 16 could actually attend the programme. There was no chief guest for the program as all our seniors were chief guests. Ms.Roshan John from Sterlite Foundation and Representative from S.V.T.College of Home Science (SNDT Juhu) were also present as special Invitees. Ms. Amruta Lovekar was the emcee for the program and Mr. Sailesh Mishra conducted the vote of thanks and was also in charge of logistics and Event Management. Mr. Bhavesh Chheda was responsible for photographs of all the participants and Ms. Neha was in charge of timing each performance. Mrs. Mona actively volunteered for the program. Special acknowledgment was given to Dr.Ajay Hora of Gala community hall and Raj Decorator.
The performances were as follows:
1. Mrs. Sunita Khare : Explanation of humorous Sanskrit shlokas
2. Mr. Shivkalyan Lovekar : Bhajan
3. Mrs. Prabha Jog : Story telling
4: Mr. Arun Gadre : Mimicry and Singing
5. Mr. Padmakar Helekar : Jokes on driving
6. Mrs. Prabha Kavre : Natya sangeet
7. Mrs. Veena Prabhu : Natya sangeet
8. Mrs. Vatsala Pol : One act play
9. Mrs. Vimla Goenka : Marwari dance
10. Mrs. Pratibha Dattani : Brazilian dance
11. Mr. H.R. Shenoy : Singing
12. Laughter group : Laughter song
13. Mrs. Bharati Pandya : One act play
14. Mrs. Sudha Joshi : Thoughts on ageing
15. Mrs. John : Poem on life
16. Mrs. Malti Vaze : One act play
All the participants performed enthusiastically and were happy to perform on stage. The Elderly had a nice time and enjoyed each moment. They just rocked. Certificates of appreciation were given to all participants. From Print Media: Times of
The response has been extremely encouraging and Silver Inning Foundation announced to make UMANG an annual event.
About Silver Inning Foundation: It is a dedicated NGO for Senior citizens and their family , registered under Society Registration Act of 1860 vides registration number 1300/2008/GBBSD dated 14/07/2008.
Reported by Amruta Lovekar – Director Programme and Service, Silver Inning Foundation
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