Psychological Health of the Elderly: 200 Questions

Author: Xiong Huatang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: Preface to Elderly Friends (Preface) Life, aging, illness, and death are the laws of natural development, something that no one can resist. As one grows older, the body's structure and function, as well as psychological activities, gradually age. For example, the body may show signs such as loose and wrinkled skin, increased fat, thinning and graying hair, loose and falling teeth, and declining sexual function. At the same time, psychological and physiological changes may also be felt, such as diminished hearing and vision, dull taste and smell, reduced memory, increased negative emotions, lack of energy, and changes in personality, etc. In fact, due to the aging of the body, the elderly are more prone to various diseases. For instance, severely hearing-impaired individuals may reduce contact with others, family, and society, which can easily lead to depression and loneliness. Elderly people with visual and auditory impairments face difficulties in going out, traveling, shopping, reading, and watching TV, making them prone to frustration and anxiety. Some elderly people have been bedridden for a long time, struggling with self-care, feeling like a burden to their families, and experiencing depression and anxiety, even contemplating suicide. These situations severely affect the physical and mental health of elderly friends. At the same time, we have also found that many elderly people maintain their physical health quite well, with very slight signs of aging. The reason for this is undoubtedly related to their strong psychological resilience and awareness of mental health care.