Health Concerns for Older Adults with ID Essay Example

is more challenging to manage among those with disabilities.

People with Down syndrome, a developmental disability, encounter difficulties due to their aggressive nature. These difficulties can lead to multiple health problems such as hearing impairment, cardiac arrests, metabolic syndrome, and hypothyroidism (Barrett et al., 2014). Additionally, individuals with Down syndrome are also prone to respiratory complications at certain stages of their lives.

Among individuals with disabilities, problems such as muscle hypotonicity and weakness due to impaired aerobic capacity are prominent causes of death. This syndrome is specific to people with disabilities and not encountered by those without disabilities. Moreover, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have increased risks of obesity (Barrett, et al.).

Females with disabilities, especially those with Down syndrome, are the most affected by obesity. This condition is mainly caused by unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity.

Additionally, individuals with genetic factors that contribute to weight gain and obesity also face an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Moreover, older adults without disabilities, especially those who do not have access to regular exercise opportunities, are often affected by obesity. It is crucial to acknowledge that this specific subgroup of the population is more vulnerable to obesity.

The responsibility of caregivers is heightened as they face the multitude of risks involved in taking care of individuals with critical conditions like cardiac arrests and hypertension. Caregivers are required to be physically present for constant health monitoring, assessment, and providing support as needed. This can be both time-consuming and emotionally challenging for family caregivers (Barrett, et al. 2014).

Dealing with a constantly aggressive person is not an easy task, especially when they pose a

physical threat to caregivers. This makes it challenging for caregivers to interact with them. Organizations providing care to senior citizens take preventive measures to avoid diseases. One such measure is offering guidance on proper nutrition to prevent illnesses resulting from poor eating habits (Talley & Crews, 2012). By ensuring proper nutrition, they can reduce the risk of diseases like heart attacks and diabetes.

Proper nutrition is one way to prevent obesity and these organizations also provide physical activities for older individuals. These exercises help improve physical fitness and can prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes. Additionally, they offer falls prevention programs to prevent injuries. If there are existing health issues, these organizations provide the necessary medication for treatment. Caregivers are also trained on medication administration in case the person becomes ill.

This information is crucial for caregivers as it helps them administer medication to patients according to their specific needs. Consequently, these organizations are an invaluable resource for both caregivers and senior citizens.

I have some recommendations for caregivers handling older individuals in the population. It is important for them to understand that they bear the responsibility for the elderly and hold the key to enriching their lives. Therefore, they have both a moral and legal obligation to provide the utmost care to this vulnerable population.

To achieve this goal, I highly recommend caregivers seek professional training to effectively interact with individuals in the older age group.

The caregivers should receive vocational education to enable them to handle various disability cases. Additionally, they should be advised to enhance their endurance in order to manage aggressive senior citizens with disabilities effectively. The ability to endure is crucial as it allows them to

provide appropriate care despite challenges. Lastly, caregivers should possess medical knowledge to ensure accurate administration of medication.

It is crucial to make sure that they have the required knowledge to spend time with senior citizens since they are mostly engaged in this activity.

References

• Barrett, P., Hale, B., & Butler, M. (2014). Family care and social capital: Transitions in informal care. Dordrecht: Springer.
• Talley, R. C., & Crews, J. E. (2012).

The book, "Multiple Dimensions of Caregiving and Disability: Research, Practice, Policy," is published by Springer in New York.