There are many benefits to becoming older, including being wiser and having greater life experiences. Unfortunately, though, there are also harsh realities of aging that can become overwhelming. Here are 17 harsh realities of the bitter side of aging.
Declining Physical Strength
Harvard Health reports, “So many physical abilities decline with normal aging, including strength, swiftness, and stamina.” This can have a big impact on your stamina, and completing simple daily tasks can become tiring. Energy levels can also drop, so it’s important to listen to your body and rest when needed.
Increased Health Issues
The older you get, the weaker your immune system tends to be, which can lead to increased health issues. This can be hard to deal with mentally but also financially, as more frequent doctor visits and medical care costs mount up. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and schedule regular checkups.
Cognitive Changes
Like our bodies, our brains also age. This can show changes in our cognitive function and memory decline. We can help prevent this by completing mental exercises daily. Simply engaging the brain can have positive impacts. This can be achieved in the comfort of your own home by playing along with quiz shows on your TV.
Vision and Hearing Loss
It’s common that the older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from a decline in hearing or vision. This can have a massive impact on your daily life. It’s important to keep up with regular appointments so that if there are any issues, they can be spotted early on.
Reduced Mobility
In the later stages of life, people’s mobility can be significantly reduced. This can be hard to accept and often people feel that their independence has been taken away from them. There are many aids, such as walkers or canes, that can help you maintain as much independence as possible and keep you increasingly active.
Social Isolation
In some cases, as you age, you notice you don’t socialize as often as you once did when you were younger. This can see the onset of loneliness creep in, which can be detrimental to your mental well-being. The CDC backs this up by reporting that loneliness can increase the risk of dementia and other health risks.
Financial Insecurity in Retirement
Aging can bring on new worries in life. When you retire, it can cause financial insecurity as you no longer have a consistent working income. It’s important to stay on top of your finances and budget where possible to help reduce any financial stress.
End-of-Life Planning and Decisions
As we age, we often have more difficult decisions to make. One of the hardest decisions can be making an end-of-life plan. This can be overwhelming and hard to get your head around but it’s very important to do so. Remember, there’s always support when making these decisions, not just from family but also from professionals.
Adjusting to a New Lifestyle Post-Retirement
It can be hard for some of us to adapt to life after retirement. Many view it as an exciting new chapter in life, but it can often be overwhelming and difficult to deal with. It’s important to find a routine so you have a level of structure, and try to take up new hobbies to give you a sense of purpose.
Increased Risk of Abuse and Exploitation
Unfortunately, we live in a world where some feel it’s acceptable to exploit the older generations. This is something you want to be wary of, as there are many financial scams aimed at older people, as they’re seen as more vulnerable. Never make a decision without consulting a family member first to get a second opinion.
Dietary and Nutritional Challenges
According to Estia Health, an elderly person may experience dietry issues such as difficulty swallowing, nausea, weight loss, and changes in taste. Our bodies change, and sometimes they no longer agree with certain foods or require a different diet to provide sufficient nutrients and energy to our bodies. A balanced diet can be very beneficial to our day-to-day lives.
Grief
The older we get, the more likely we are to suffer the loss of our loved ones. This can be extremely hard to accept, and grief can often last for long periods. Grief can look different in many ways and it’s important to seek the correct help if it becomes overwhelming.
Difficulty Sleeping
Many older people can suffer from difficulties sleeping. This can be in the form of changes in their sleeping pattern or full-blown insomnia. Sleep plays a big part in our mental and physical health, so it’s important to have a routine where possible and try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.
Technology
Technology is constantly changing and this can be difficult to keep up with, especially as you get older. It’s important to try and stay up to date with these changes and learn the relevant skills required, as technology plays a big role in our day to day lives.
Transportation
There will come a time when your reactions won’t be good enough to drive anymore. This can be difficult to accept if you have driven your whole life. You can feel some independence being taken away. It’s important to utilize transportation within your community so you can still get out and do the things you love.
Loss of Skin Elasticity
Medline Plus reports, “Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin’s strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis.” A harsh reality of aging is that our skin ages as well. Many people can struggle with this as they take pride in their appearance and start to notice changes in their looks.
Adapting to Housing Changes
As we age, our environment changes, children leave home, and our houses no longer serve us. Our homes can be too big and require too much effort, and downsizing can often be an important thing to do. This can be hard to accept, as our homes store so many fond memories.