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Dr. Virginia Rockhill
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Ageing, as we all know, is a normal part of the human life-cycle. Most of us would rather not think about it, based on the many negative associations of ageing. But like it or not, unless our lives end prematurely, we all age. Adapting to the ageing process does not mean we are relegated to poor physical and cognitive functioning. It means realistically examining ourselves to truthfully identify our strengths and weaknesses and maximizing those strengths and reducing the impact those weaknesses have on our lives. Making a commitment to change unhealthy lifestyles by learning how we came to have those unhealthy lifestyles in the first place is essential to become proactive in taking control of our future health. This does not mean we forsake all of our old familiar ways, it just means being honest with yourself and prioritizing what is really important to you rather than wasting energy on what could happen to you. | Depression | Anxiety | Life Transitions | Becoming a Care Giver to an ageing parent or other family member can place an added burden to a person’s already “full plate”. This type of life transition carries with it feelings of resentment, anger, anxiety and guilt, at a minimum, as we move into the accompanying responsibilities and obligations incumbent with the care-giver role. Stress management is essential to maintaining a healthy profile for ourselves. An example I frequently use with my patients is one many of us have experienced in a different context: Before taking off in a commercial airplane, while we are taxiing on the ground, the flight attendant explains basic FAA safety guidelines, one of which is what to do if the plane loses cabin pressure. The flight attendant tells us that the little oxygen masks will drop down automatically in front of us, and all we have to do is place them over our faces, and that if we are traveling with a small child, to place our oxygen mask over our faces before putting the child’s mask over his or her face. This is because our oxygen needs are greater than the child’s and if we pass out from lack of oxygen, there will be no one to place the mask over the child’s face. In other words, we must keep ourselves conscious in order to take care of the child. The same analogy is true when we are caregivers: we must keep ourselves healthy so we can take care of our loved one. This means a solid support network and an understanding of the warning signs our own bodies give us that we are not taking as good care of ourselves as we are of anyone else. |
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