58 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Consciousness and Aging, Part II In my last article, I offered a scenario about an elderly woman who experienced confusion health that caused her to fear her mistake and the disruption that ensued. For the reader who had not read Part I, allow me to offer the “theme” of the previous column. This then is what occurred to an elderly woman attempting to board a bus on a Sunday afternoon to visit a friend by the name of Mary, who didn’t live there anymore. It’s safe to say that the Sunday outing must have lost that special anticipation for the individual and caused great anxiety. I’ve always believed that validating our needs tends to encourage looking at an issue objectively. However there will always be moments of failure that come to mind. Regrets and/or limitations may stand out more strongly than positive achievements. The motivation and confi dence necessary to move forward with our lives may dissolve. Similarly, biases against the elderly may cause others to reject that individual’s claim of competence, even when she has confi rmed it for them. A few humiliating and destructive experiences are enough to convince that elderly woman that she is no longer valid as a fi rst class citizen. And it is not even worthwhile to bolster her with credit from the past, successful or otherwise. Setting boundaries by letting go of some distant painful memory may further exacerbate into a yet unrecognizable diffi culty. An example is of that elderly woman who may have exposed herself to a potential crisis by not acknowledging a limitation i.e.: a serious emotional problem brought on by overly prolonged stress and/ or a personal crisis which can cause a longer than estimated recovery time, or even beyond. If we sincerely believe in valuing the positive features of our past, then it can only be hoped that every successful life experience will become part of the future for our fi ctitious elderly lady attempting to board her bus that Sunday afternoon. Old people, regardless of chronic problems, continue to discover satisfaction in what life has to offer. Like anyone else they are: • apt to feel more secure with the idea that they are able to remain involved with purposeful activities even in the face of adversity; • that this involvement eventually brings a sense of contentment into their daily lives; • that it brings social connectivity with family, friends and community; • that it reinforces the need to stay healthy, physically and mentally, by staying focused; • that the elderly person has a loving and thoughtful spouse or friend to be advised by whenever that proverbial shoulder becomes necessary to lean upon. Sheldon Ornstein Ed.D, RN Dr. Sheldon Ornstein is a registered professional nurse with a doctoral degree in nursing organization. He has specialized in the care of older adults and has published many articles on the subject. He has done post-graduate work in gerontology and has taught at several universities. In 2013, he was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame at Teachers College, Columbia University. Sciatica Pain? WE NOW HAVE COLD LASER Do You Have SCIATICA Or Its Symptoms? • Low Back, Buttock, Leg Pain • Leg, Low Back Weakness • Burning or Shooting Pains in Legs • Difficulty Walking • Numbness/ Tingling in Lower Back or Legs • Stiffness or Fatigue in Legs • Tender Points on Lower Back or Legs Therapy can begin today. Call Now. *Most Insurances Accepted. FREE CONSULTATION With this ad. Within 30 days • Physical Therapy • Chiropractic • Occupational Therapy • Acupuncture • Hydromassage • Cold Laser North Shore Rehab Associates 55 Northern Blvd. Suite 103 516-466-9300 Great Neck, N.Y. 11021
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