A common fear for older adults is losing their precious independence due to health issues, age-related limitations, or a general need for regular care or assistance. Help your loved one maintain independence as much as possible with appropriate home modifications and careful monitoring of health-related concerns.
Aging Fear #1: Losing Independence
Because we have worked so hard to gain independence over the years, losing that independence is one of the biggest fears of aging.
However, many aspects of the aging process do seem to be cause for concern. According to the survey, 63% of U.S. adults who said they fear aging are worried most about potentially declining health as they age, followed by losing loved ones (52%) and financial concerns (38%).
According to the study, this increased fear with age is related to the plasticity or flexibility of the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the area responsible for complex cognitive behavior. “Childhood is a period when the brain and the prefrontal cortex are still developing.
One of the most noticeable and challenging aspects of aging is the physical decline that occurs over time. As we age, our bodies gradually lose their vitality and resilience. The once effortless activities become more strenuous, and we may find ourselves battling ailments and chronic health conditions.
Many people have this phobia even though they may not know what it's called. Yes, there's a name for it, and a rather difficult one to say at that. If you suffer from the fear of your parents dying, for example, you may also have thanatophobia.
The fear of dying alone is not uncommon. The urban dictionary recently included “monatophobia,” meaning “fear of dying alone.” This new word combines thanatophobia (fear of death) and monophobia (fear of being alone). For many of us, the idea of no one being there for us as we die is indeed terrifying.
Background. Ambulophobia is a type of specific phobia that involves a fear of walking. This phobia mainly affects older people, who prefer not to leave their bed or home to avoid walking on uneven surfaces and reduce the risk of falling.
Thanatophobia is an intense fear of death or the dying process. While it's natural to feel anxious about death from time to time, thanatophobia is an anxiety disorder that can disrupt every aspect of your life. Don't be afraid to talk to a healthcare provider about your fears.
We get better at this as we age. A 2000 meta-analysis found that fear of death grows in the first half of life, but by the time we hit the 61-to-87 age group, it recedes to a stable, manageable level.
“A lot of our fear of death is about losing the things we've built up,” says Steve Taylor, a lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University in Leeds, England, and the author of Out of Darkness. “But elderly people let go of their attachment to these things, and in the process they let go of some of their fear.”
Here are some of their key findings. The scariest time, for those dreading the loss of a parent, starts in the mid-forties. Among people between the ages of 35 and 44, only one-third of them (34%) have experienced the death of one or both parents. For people between 45 and 54, though, closer to two-thirds have (63%).
Avoid talking in an overly optimistic way, for example, “You'll be up in no time”. Such comments block the possibility of discussing how they're really feeling – their anger, fears, faith and so on. Apologise if you think you've said the wrong thing. Let them know if you feel uncomfortable.
The reasons why death is scary are often related to the fears of the unknown, of non-existence, of eternal punishment, of the loss of control, and fear of what will happen to the people we love.
Every stage of parenting has its challenges, but one poll reveals what age most parents feel they struggled with the most. You thought your mischievous 2-year-old was a handful?
Additionally, 5.7% lost their mother by age 15, 17.2% lost them by age 30, and 50.7% lost them by age 50. The most common age ranges in which people lost their father were 50-54 (11.5%), 45-49 (11.2%), and 40-44 (10.8%).
For many people the loss of their mother is harder than the loss of their father. Not because they loved them any less, but the bond between mother and child is a special one. Your mother gave birth to you. She fed you and nurtured you throughout your childhood.
Mindfulness practices like meditation and guided imagery can help center your thoughts and teach you not to react to stress triggers. Healthy lifestyle practices like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can not only make you feel better physically but increase feelings of well-being.
in the last 6 to 12 months before death, people with a pro- gressive, debilitating disease commonly experience certain physical symptoms. many people, as they approach the end of life, will become less active and experience chronic fatigue or weakness. Weight loss and diminished appetite are also common.
In the days before their death, a person's control over their breathing starts to fail. They may breathe more slowly for a while, then more quickly, and so their breathing becomes quite unpredictable overall. Fluid can start to gather in their lungs, and the breathing can begin to sound quite 'rattly'.
The good news is fear of death fades as a person ages. Men who experienced thanatophobia in their 20's usually overcome their fear and are less likely to feel dread towards the subject later on. Women on the other hand, have a higher chance of experiencing a re-emergence of the problem in their 50's.
By middle age, one is exposed to the finality of life with death of parents, friends, and siblings. This being the period of highest death anxiety. Finally in old age, the level of death anxiety drops even in the face of death of spouses and peers.