Disadvantages of Old Age Homes

There is an increase in old age homes in Bangalore. In economic terms one would say that “supply increases as the demand increases”. Most of the old age homes that come to existence, now a days, do not rise with the motive of looking after the well being of the neglected elderly; but comes to existence mainly because of their interest in the foreign money that would pour into their trust. The above said statement should not lead to any form of generalization as there are organizations whose sole interest is to look after the needs of the neglected elderly. Having said the motives of the organizations, one has to know that it (either of the motives) doesn’t change the problems (emotional or others) faced by the elderly in the old age homes. A few are listed below. If you feel there are more, please do add them in the form of comments. 

1.The person who has been put into an old age home would (naturally) be very sad. This is quite justified since they are (usually) leaving the only home they have known for years -- including all the memories.

2. Most of the people who are put into the old age home, start developing a fear that rises from the thought that moving into an old age home is the final step before death. This is usually true since once there, they usually do not return to their own home.

3. Loneliness is a enduring problem with many. For some visits from their loved ones are few and far in-between.

4.Once in a old age home, they tend to lose their independence. This in itself gives the feeling that their life is over. Along with loss of independence, they lose their self-esteem too. Now, anything they do is part of a planned activity.

5. In case they are religious, they can no longer go and pray to a place of worship of their choice; but instead attend the service provided by the retirement home.

Suicide among elderly...

Suicide among elderly people has become a global problem . A study was conducted to know why the elderly people became vulnerable when faced with the challenges of old age .The objective of this study was to investigate whether the descriptions of elderly people who committed suicide, given by those who knew them, can provide common features that create recognizable patterns, and if so whether these patterns can help to shed light on the suicidal process. A total of 172 municipal medical officers in ten counties in southern Norway were asked to report regularly to the project manager. The medical officer acquired information from the deceased’s closest relatives, his/her family doctor, and the home-based care nurse, if any. Written information on the project and a request to take part in the interview were sent to potential informants. On receipt of written informed consent to participate, the project manager contacted the informants and arranged the interview. A great majority of the elderly were perceived as having a “strong” personality as in they were obstinate and controlling others. Many informants also expressed the relationship as difficult. The main impression was that the elderly had shown strong self-control and reserve on an emotional level. On the basis of the descriptions of the elderly people given in this study, it was concluded that these individuals will find difficulty in accepting and adapting to age-related loss of function since their self-esteem is so strongly associated with being productive and in control. Loss of control reveals their vulnerability – and this they cannot tolerate . They wouldn't have attempted suicide if their children were more supportive and understanding. There are studies that have shown that the old age could bring childish character in a person. The close relatives and children should try to understand this fact and should not try to humiliate them .

Learned Helplessness in Elderly.

Learned helplessness happens when a person is frequently subjected to an aversive stimulus that s/he cannot escape. Eventually, the person will stop trying to evade the stimulus and act as if s/he is utterly helpless to change the situation. Even when opportunities to escape are presented, this learned helplessness will prevent any action. According to Seligman, depressed people have learned to be helpless. In order words, depressed people feel that no matter what they do, it will be pointless, and that they have no control over their environments. This is mainly caused when people attribute negative things in life to internal, stable and global factors. Essentially, it means that the person feels as if change is not possible, since there is a pervasive and unchangeable personal problem. It has also been associated with several different psychological disorders. 

Learned helplessness can develop in any stage of one's life, not just childhood - it affects behavioral, cognitive and affective domains at the same time. Many a times, this theory has its significance when one studies about the behavior of the neglected elderly. The causes for learned helplessness to happen in the old age people can vary from one person to another. Usually when they are neglected and there need are not satisfied most of the time, they tend to develop this. For example, if their children do not take good care of them and if their wishes are never met and if they are treated as a burden; they might develop learned helplessness.  With learned helplessness; creativity, positive well-being, and a healthy self-image are lost. The person ultimately loses the ability to be happy as a result of losing the intrinsic motivation needed to achieve it. And because of the learned helplessness, many elderly people are prone to anxiety, depression, shyness, phobias and loneliness. The elderly people should feel that there are wanted and that their opinions are valued. Even if all their wishes cannot be satisfied (eg:-they might ask for food items that can cause harm to their health, this should not be encouraged much) the ones that can be done should be done whole heartedly. It is important to know that not all elderly people react to uncontrollable events with learned helplessness. Certain biological and psychological factors may increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing learned helplessness and/or depression.

Religion and war...

Sound thrashing I was honored with....

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I have seen students bunk classes in their college life. Many of them started to bunk classes only after they joined the college. I think, I would suprise you when I say, I bunked classes when I was in third grade.

When I was in my third standard, it was like a fashion for many of the students to go for musical classes after their regular academic classes. So when I heard about the mussical class that was gonna start in my school, I made a huge hue to join those classes. I wanted to learn drums. And I also wanted to impress a girl, I had crush on. It wasn't easy for me to get the permission. My parents who knew me well, knew that it was just a passing fancy for me. But i wasn't ready to accept that. I wanted to go for those classes.

Finally, after I made a huge hungama, my dad agreed to enroll me for those classes, provided I opt of piano and not for drums. I agreed instantly. Even though I liked drums more than piano, I wasn't much bothered about it. I just wanted to join the classes and stay back in the campus after academic hours. For the first few weeks, I was all trilled and used to attend the classes regularly.

After a month, I got tired of it. One main reason was that i wasn't interested in learning piano. So i stayed back and played with my friends instead of attending the classes. This went on for a few months. At the end of every month my sister, who was doing ther 12^th in the same campus, would come and pay the fee for my musical classes. When my sister would look at the attendance register, it showed that I was present for all the classes. It seems that the sir gave attendance to all, even without checking if they were present.

My exams were close. So I thought to sit back and to start studying, instead of going to the campus. It so happened on that day, i was supposed to have music class. So my sister went to my class-mate who was attending the classes and asked her for the notes taken on that day. It was then everything became bad.

My friend, without even thinking twice told my sister that it had been months since I had come for the classes and that notes given wouldn't help. I was having my lunch, when my sister came in to tell my dad the news. Then everything that happened was history. I still remember, my dad's face going red with range and he stomping out to fetch a stick to honor me with a sound thrashing. Though the classes weren't much of a fun then, now I wish I had attended the classes.