Elder's health issues - beware and be aware

All of us are more or less certain about two things namely advancing age and increasing taxes. We tend to see our elders slowly become aged, losing memory, mobility, confidence and degree by degree the ability to struggle with the tough game called life. We tend to presume that the battle is a long drawn one and we will be prepared to shoulder the responsibility when the need arises or rather we will cross the bridge when the river comes. I too was of the same opinion.

Little did I know that my Dad a person whose memory would astound his students when he recited the contents of entire books like a poem without much as a glance of the Chapter heading, would have difficulty in remembering my name.

The signs, the change in gait, the spoonerisms in figures such as hundred and thousands when he referred to money, slight lapses of memory were all discounted by me and the rest of my family as age related issues.

When the situation worsened and he had a fall too many, we went for a CT scan of the brain which revealed he has silently suffered more than a stroke. He's now on the slow painful road to recovery compounded by his advancing age and chronic diseases  like Diabetes and Blood Pressure.

Had we known earlier we could have started the treatment before the debilitating falls and associated pain. But we failed to understand the signs and symptoms.

I therefore implore you friends to please analyse any behavioral or physical changes in your near and dear senior citizens and take them to a good General Physician to diagnose the real cause behind their actions.

Further if you live away from them in another city, please do endeavor to develop a support system in case of emergency. I'm fortunate that my Cousins and my better half had become my support system during the times of crisis since I could not be around and I'm ever grateful for  their timely help. My father's friends also were real concerned and many of them visited him despite their own advanced  age. A few students of my Father also took their time to help out. I'm indebted to each one of them.

I sincerely hope none of your dear ones become afflicted but a little bit of precaution never hurt anyone.