Aging can be described as the continuous and transitional process of growing older with time. The gradual process is characterized by both physical and cognitive changes of the individual. As such, the paper focuses on discussing the physical and cognitive changes that occur in a person in the aging process. In addition, the roles of work, family, society, family, and spirituality will be discussed in accordance with how they affect the late ages of life. Ultimately, a comparison between clinical depression and the sadness associated with normal losses of aging will be brought into the limelight effectively.
The aging process is characterized by a number of both physical and cognitive changes. The former is elaborated by the change in skeletal muscle mass. Essentially, there is a gradual loss of muscle mass whereby the aging individuals become weak. Due to this phenomenon, muscle strength, cardiac capacity, the ability to exercise, and the average consumption of oxygen reduces significantly. The second characteristic under this is the gradual loss or weakening of vision. The conditions contributing to this change could be due to the medical conditions such as glaucoma, hypertensive retinopathy, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy. Hearing is another physical change that occurs with aging, also referred to as presbycusis. This condition occurs in between 20 to 25 percent of all individuals between the ages of 65 to 75. The condition is brought about by exposure to noise and some forms of medication (Wegman & McGee, 2004).
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Regarding cognitive changes in aging, the initial change and perhaps the most notable is the frequency of depression whereby little things or work easily stress the individuals. Additionally, the sleeping problem is another cognitive characteristic that comes with old age. This feature is greatly associated with the psychological well-being of the individual. Finally, memory loss is another aspect of aging whereby the individuals gradually lose their memory. This characteristic is further propelled by the development of conditions such as dementia.
Factors such as work, family, spirituality, and society play a significant role in the later stages of an individual. In essence, work greatly contributes to the depression and stress of the aging adults. Elaborately, as people age, they develop feelings of loneliness and isolation as they watch their family members develop through time and life. As such, family plays a big role in the late life by comforting and taking care of the aging individuals. Notably, some societies consider the elderly as a burden due to their increased dependency. As such, the society has developed social programs such as homes for the elderly in which the aging population is taken care of by experts. Spirituality, especially in old age, is significant. In essence, the aging population relies more on spirituality and religion for comfort as they look forward into the end of their lives. In this regard, spirituality brings a sense of calm and eliminates the guilt that the elderly have regarding the atrocities they may have committed thereby bringing them a sense of assurance and peace.
Most often than not, it can be difficult to distinguish between clinical depression and simple sadness that comes with old age owing from their similarities from face value. However, the two are different, and a critical comparison is fundamental in understanding each separately. Clinical depression is a medical condition that causes persistent and significant changes in the behavior, emotions, or mood of an individual. On the other hand, normal sadness is an emotional state of mind due to loss of a loved one. Comparatively both clinical depression and sadness share symptoms such as loss of appetite and weight, loss of sleep, exhaustion and significant loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and guilt, and memory loss. However, symptoms such as the inability to make decisions or concentrate, suicidal tendencies, irritability, and lack of interest in the activities once enjoyed such as sex are only associated with clinical depression.
Unlike old-age sadness, clinical depression is majorly linked to the complex interactions between hormones and the brain chemicals which subsequently influence the individual’s behavior and emotions. Compared to normal sadness due to old age, clinical depression is hereditary. While clinical depression affects all the age groups, both the old and the young, sadness due to aging majorly affects the elderly population. Unlike old-age sadness that could dissipate and die off, treatment of clinical depression includes the use of powerful antidepressants lasting between 6 to 12 months (Winch, 2015).
Conclusion
The elderly are a fundamental part of the society and as such should be accorded more care and affection from all camps including family, and society. By so doing, it is easier to understand their feelings of sadness and depression and ultimately comforting and taking care of them.
References
Wegman, D.H., & McGee, J.P. (2004). National Research Council (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers; Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2004. 5, Physical and Cognitive Differences between Older and Younger Workers. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207703/
Winch, G. (2015). The Important Difference between Sadness and Depression. Psychology Today; Squeaky wheel. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-squeaky-wheel/201510/the-important-difference-between-sadness-and-depression
