Challenges of Late Adulthood.

In this article, we will Discuss the Challenges of Late Adulthood.

Challenges of Late Adulthood are discussed as follows:

It is seen that most of the adults aged 60 and older are obese or overweight. Obesity is related to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breast and colon cancer, cardiovascular disease, and gall bladder disease.
Women in perimenopause and menopause tend to accumulate fat around the hips and waist, and men get the gut.
The food intake should be in check by reducing calorie intake and alcohol intake because a lot of alcohol calories go right to the gut. Also, increase in healthy fat intakes such as omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats, and eliminate trans fats completely. Foods sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup should be avoided. The common sweetener is found in everything from sodas to breakfast cereal to low-fat yogurt.

Arthritis affects nearly half the elderly population. It is a leading cause of disability.
The keys to prevention are to avoid overuse, do steady, regular exercise rather than in weekend spurts, and stop if you feel pain.
Managing one’s weight is just as essential for joint health as cardiovascular health.

Osteoporosis and low bone mass affect most adults age 50 and older. Most of them are women.
According to the National Osteoporosis Association, osteoporosis isn’t part of normal ageing.
It can minimize or prevent the condition with appropriate healthy behaviours and treatment. Weight-bearing exercise helps to keep bones healthy also.

Risk for developing most types of cancer increases with age.
The rate of cervical cancer decreases, and endometrial cancer increases as women age.
The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, black men have a higher rate than white men.
Screening should start in the 40s, and at the very least should involve a digital rectal examination.
Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer combined.

Age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma affect people aged 40 and older.
Eating foods with high antioxidant content may help reduce vision loss due to macular degeneration.
Regular eye exams should include screening for glaucoma, which is called “the sneak thief of sight” for the fact that the first symptom is vision loss. The disease can be arrested, but vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.
The rate of hearing loss increases with age. Hearing loss takes a toll on the quality of life. It can lead to depression and withdrawal from social activities. Though hearing aids can help, one out of four people only uses them.
High-frequency hearing loss is common in old age. It is made worse by a lifestyle that includes exposure to loud sounds.

Staying mentally active is as important as staying physically active.
One of the completely puzzling problems of ageing is Alzheimer’s disease.
Depression is usually underdiagnosed and untreated. Many people mistakenly believe that depression is a natural condition of old age.
One of the biggest life changes is retirement. Many people have their sense of worth tied up with work. Depression and suicide rates rise in retirement.