Dignity in ageing: addressing sensitive health issues with compassion and care

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia has more than 4.2 million seniors. This accounts for 16 percent of the total population and means that more than four million people require the help of a caregiver in one form or another.

As people age, they are faced with several health issues, such as cognitive decline, chronic pain and incontinence. These challenges affect not only their physical well-being but also their emotional and social health. For this reason, compassionate care plays a key role in enhancing the quality of life for seniors.

This article discusses the changes that come with ageing, sensitive health issues, compassionate care practices and solutions for dealing with health issues among seniors.

Understanding the changes that come with age (physical, emotional and social shifts)

As the body ages, it undergoes significant changes in function and structure. The changes can be classified into three categories:

• physical;
• emotional; and
• social.

Physical changes

As the body ages, it undergoes several physical changes that affect its immunity, mobility and overall health. According to WHO, ageing is caused by cellular and molecular damage, which causes a decrease in mental and physical abilities.

Seniors often suffer from joint stiffness, muscle loss and arthritis, making them immobile. In addition, some seniors have a weakened immune system that makes them more vulnerable to infections.

Emotional changes

Contrary to popular belief, ageing affects more than just physical health. It also causes emotional changes that can either be negative or positive, depending on the situation. For example, according to research by the Medical Journal of Australia, 28.5 percent of seniors above 60 suffer from loneliness.

The study suggests that loneliness tends to increase with age. Several factors, such as retirement, cause this problem. Additionally, by the time you hit 60, the kids are all grown up and have already moved out of the house. Loneliness causes several health effects, such as anxiety, depression and mood swings.

Social changes

Social changes are caused by factors such as evolving family dynamics and relationships. Due to their age, seniors depend more on their adult children and caregivers. This alters the traditional parent-child relationship, causing emotional and psychological stress. 

Common sensitive health issues among older adults

As people age, they experience health challenges that impact their daily lives and overall well-being. These health challenges can be embarrassing for seniors to discuss, especially with young caregivers. 

Therefore, these issues must be discussed with compassion to not embarrass the senior. One sensitive health issue is urinary and fecal incontinence. Urinary incontinence is a sensitive issue, as it results in unintended bladder leakage, which can lead to embarrassment and discomfort.

If the condition is not managed, it can result in social withdrawal, skin infections and depression. The following sensitive health conditions may affect older people.

Cognitive decline and memory loss

Cognitive decline is a condition that causes gradual memory loss or reasoning capabilities. The condition can either be severe or mild. Severe cases can cause diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Dementia affects more than 340,000 seniors in Australia and 44 million people worldwide. 

These conditions can cause confusion, personality changes and increased dependence on caregivers.

Chronic pain and mobility limitations

As people age, they begin to experience chronic pain due to several conditions, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Arthritis causes bone stiffness and joint pain, while osteoporosis causes the bones to weaken. This increases the risk of fractures, hence reducing mobility.

Persistent pain causes a decrease in the quality of life and an increased dependence on caregivers. 

Lastly, aged people also suffer from nutritional and digestive disorders such as constipation, acid reflux and difficulty in absorbing nutrients.

Compassionate care practices to support seniors

Caring for seniors must be done empathetically, dignifiedly and respectfully. This is because of the sensitive health issues affecting them. Therefore, caregivers must implement compassionate strategies when dealing with seniors. One way to do this is through thoughtful communication.

As a caregiver, put yourself in the shoes of the senior. When communicating, use respectful language that is not judgmental. In addition, sensitive topics should only be discussed in a private setting.

Another compassionate care practice is to provide personalised care. Seniors have their preferences and values. These values must be respected while providing care. The best way to do this is to involve the seniors in decision-making and respecting their cultural and religious beliefs.

Lastly, it is important to acknowledge that seniors face emotional and psychological challenges. This can either be depression, grief or loneliness. Regardless of the situation, offer support through meaningful conversation, reassurances and encouragement. 

Practical solutions for managing sensitive health issues

Implementing practical and compassionate solutions is the best strategy for managing sensitive health issues. For example, when dealing with urinary and fecal incontinence, the best practical solution would be to use discreet products. 

These can either be pads, absorbent undergarments or leakproof beddings. Another solution would be to help the seniors do Kegel exercises for better bladder control. 

In the case of cognitive decline and memory loss, the best practical solution would be the use of cognitive therapy and mental exercises. This can be done using puzzles, reading and brain-stimulation games. 

In addition, caregivers can help with cognitive decline by using assistive technologies such as reminder alarms and smart home sensors.

When dealing with chronic pain and mobility limitations, the best practical solution would be the use of pain management therapies. Therapies such as gentle stretches and massage help seniors cope with chronic pain. Other workable solutions include modifications, such as installing ramps and non-slip flooring.

Lastly, when dealing with digestive health, a practical solution would be to ensure that the senior has a balanced diet rich in fibre and lean proteins. Caregivers should also ensure seniors have at least five glasses of water daily. If the person experiences digestive discomfort, try feeding them frequent lighter meals than one big meal. 

In conclusion, ageing should not be lonely or depressing. It is a stage in life that should be full of bliss and joy. Caregivers have a role in ensuring respectful care that prioritises personalised support and open communication.

About the author

Lesley Barton is the national clinical and training manager at Bunzl & AMHC, with over 40 years of healthcare experience. A registered nurse, midwife and continence nurse specialist, she transitioned into healthcare sales and management, leading education of continence, wound care and medical consumables. 

She serves as a board director at the Continence Foundation of Australia and founded the Clinical Care Connections (CCC) program, playing a key role in developing Atlas McNeil Healthcare’s education and training initiatives to support best practices in clinical care.