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Dignify Your age;

understand Your bodY

Dr Delna Goghavalla and

As we age, the body cells--start.reducing

degrading in their
in number ."4 thJnormal
^
functioning
irt"aT"t. *trs affJs

our bgay'- Getting

of all the systems ofbutit- is incorrect
old is not a curse'
as we age'
,rot t" take care of one's !"dY
and
recommend Dr Ottttt Goghavalla
Dr Kashmira Goghavalla

o is

termed

as old?

Individuals

between the age SrouPS or

AGE GROUP

Above 85

Young old
Middle old
Old -old

Cycle of Ageing
Our life cYcle starts with
the innocence of infancY'
orogr.rr". to the PlaY of
irriianooa, glorification of
the teens, running the race
in adulthood and slowing
down to first gear one as we
step into the cascade of old
age.

What haPPens as we
age?
"EverY
Part of our bodY

is

made uP

of cells; the-

or
these cells is the keY to good

effective functioning
health.

As we age, the cells start

reducing in number and
degrading in their function'

rhls

affects the normal

functioning

of all

the

systems of our bodY'

Svstems affected include

l\iusculo skeletal SYstem
Sarcopen ia; loss of muscle
mass due to reduction in

number

of

muscle cells'

ConsequentlY leading to
muscular weakness'

i'e' loss of
OsteoPorosis
^*utt due
to loss of
bon"
bone cells and minerals;
Ieaving the elderlY more
suscePtible to fracture'

Degenerative changes affect

the cartilage and bones of

thejoint leading to pain and
disability.

Neurological System
Brain cells start reducing in
number causing problems

with crystal memory

i.e.
remembering recent events,

not affecting the construct

memory i.e. remembering
the past.
Nerves slow down in their
conduction of impulses
i.e. signals from the brain
to the target muscle; thus
increasing the reaction
time and slowing down the
response.

Circulatory Systern
Lungs reduce in their
compliance
exchange

and

gaseous

properties,

leaving the body to cope

with reduced availability of
oxygen.

receptors; hence the elderly

start complaining of foods

being tasteless and start

losing interest in eating,

thus inviting further

problems by eating less.
. Sensation of smell goes
down, thus reducing

appreciation of aroma. [Can

be dangerous in c/o of gas
leaks etc.l
. Proprioception is affected
i.e. sense of position
of the body part in the
environment.

Balance

The above mentioned

in
the
changes
proprioception,

muscle
strength, reaction time,
leavethe elderlyat a stronger
challenge for adopting
an erect posture against

gravity i.e. maintaining

balance and creates the

Hearts contractile property

reduces and thus reduces
its potency to supply
orygenated blood to the
various parts of the body.
Alirnentary System
The intestine loses its

head of all problems 'Fear

of fall' amongst the elderly
population.
This fear offall is responsible

causing
frequent constipations.

superimposed inactivity.

motiliS-, thus
SensoryS5rstem

. Vision is affected specially

color differentiation and

near rision as the retinal

cells reduce in number.
. Tongue loses its taste

lbl|rt*

for the elderly restricting

their routine activities and
leads them into a chain
of problems due to the
Tools to help
rehabilitation:
Geriatric
deals with the training of
elderly population.

Balance Training
Balance training done using

qld***

Garvlcd

Thor-aclc

L--

lh.I!- 2:'a

lffi
the three main sYstems involved in

Circulatory system

Respiratorymuscles strength training^

mainiaining balance ; visual, vestibular
fr"tpt i-pioving the- compliance of
and proPriocePtive sYstem'
the lungs.
balance
The
innocence
the
with
starts
lif"
dt
Aerobic exercises
"y.1"progresses to the play of (cycling, jogging,
strategies are oi i"iu""v,
trained using childhood, glorification of the teens'
running, swimming)
physiotheraPeutic ;;;i"s ihi tu"" in adulthood and help in imProving
to first - gear ?T" ut
equiPments slowing downthe
cardiac endurance,
including the *" tt.p into cascade of old
thus imProving the
board,
balance
function of the heart.
disc, stabilitY trainer etc.
Reach outs given in different Some usefull tips to ease the life
directions imProve mobility and of the elderlY
beds,
train multidirectional stability of the I Raising the height of sofas,getting
chairs; eases
individual.
up and down.
exercises given to the upper and

Gait

training

(walking)

Retraining

an

Stretching
joint'
lower lim6s improves the flexibility of
utto*ittg th.- io move freelY when reQuired'

individual's walking
using the natural rhythm of walking'
multldirectional walks i'e' forward'

backwards, sidewaYs

or

using

assistive devices in
the form of canes or

walkers

imProves

the

individual's
confidence in walking
and makes his social
life more interactive
and fruitful.

Mobility

and

Strength
Stretching exercises given to the
uoo", unl lower limbs imProves the
nexlUltity of joints, allowing them to

move freelY when required'

Strengthening exercises using weight
cuffs, dumbbells, therabands improve
muscle strength and make it more

efficient for functioning'

n Add substances
that have strong
aroma

to the

food

offered to the elderlY.

Have anti skid (non sliPPerY)

flloring in the house, keep it dry-and

free of rags to avoid the

incidence offall.
n Avoid having

objects/furniture that
produces glare' as it
is distracts the elders
while walking.

Color the room of

an elderlY Person with

softer shades of reds and orange in
combination with peaches, apricots
u"J toft blues as these colors are well
distinguishable and avoid confusion'
eg"n! is a Part of the normal cYcle
don'f leave a stone unturned
"iriti
in an attemPt to change or stop
that is 'changeable' and accePt the
'unchangeable' with a smile' c
delnag o g hau aIIa @ g mail'

co