FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY
Keywords:
Mental health, elderly, mild cognitive impairmentAbstract
Currently, those aged 65 years or above comprise about 6% of the world's population. The reasons for this explosion in the older population in the world in general, and in the develop world in particular are many, and are not just a result of increasing life expectancy. Other factors including the declining fertility rate, declining child mortality, education and economic development play a big part. The ageing population of the world presents major challenges for society and for health services. Mental health issues are extremely important, as mental disorders, notably dementia and depression, are common in old age. Mental ill-health can profoundly affect the quality of life of elderly people and has a significant impact upon the use of health and social services.
Taking into account the fact that the mild cognitive impairment is considered as a prodromal phase of dementia, it is important to identify it early and to start the primary prevention. The primary prevention refers to the specific treatment of cognitive features and to changes of the lifestyle. The compliance and the lifestyle can stop the progression of the disease. Early detection and the treatment of mild cognitive impairment can maintain the elderly at a maximum level of functionality as much as possible. It is therefore important to improve quality of life the elderly, so that to maintain healthy and functional as long as possible, to prevent their admission to hospitals or homes-hospitals.
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