http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3231713Oh my.
It starts off so innocently.
Cheney Killed Bambi (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:08 AM
Original message
One-Third of Seniors Have Mental Decline
Source: Washington Post
More than 5 million elderly people have a hard time remembering things, sorting through daily decisions and even sometimes knowing what day it is, according to the first national estimate of how commonly the minds of aging Americans are starting to fade.
Using detailed evaluations of a nationally representative sample of 856 people ages 71 and older, the federally sponsored study concluded that 22 percent have begun to see their mental faculties decline, which translates into 5.4 million people.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
And then turns ugly really fast, with a few lame attempts at making funnies.
skooooo (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:10 AM
Response to Original message
1. Why put this into the context of politics?
This is deeply personal. I'm sure we all have older family members we worry about.
ColbertWatcher (388 posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:11 AM
Original message
How is this political?
To start:
* stem cell research
Mojorabbit (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:13 AM
Response to Reply #1
4. Well I guess you could say that since McCain is in the age bracket.....
I am in my fiftys and have trouble remembering things myself.
parasim (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:11 AM
Response to Original message
2. Yeah, no kidding...
Get 'em in their while they're young, I say, 'cause I'm 50 and I can't remember a damn thing.
suston96 (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:12 AM
Response to Original message
3. I am in that group and I have no problem remembering what day it is.
I sometimes lose track of what year it is. That damned 21st century crap got me all screwed up.
Captain Angry (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:16 AM
Response to Reply #3
5. I'm in my 30's and I don't know what day it is.
One of us is screwed, and it's not you.
send in the clowns (657 posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:16 AM
Response to Original message
6. Poverty Doesn't Help
People are often forced to stay behind locked doors for fear or because they can't afford to go anywhere. They have no way or no finances to join those day centers just for seniors where they exercise their mind and their body as well as give them a nutritional meal. Many do not eat right and often sit in front of a tv screen all day. Many seniors don't have family members either that could keep them a bit more active.
When you have no money and your health as not good you lose a lot of options. When your medicines take up all your spare cash you often can't eat right. When you live in a poor neighborhood just taking a walk might be dangerous. Those who have the luxury of money,transportation,health etc can afford daycare,a nice stroll or have healthful meals home delivered.
Many seniors today are very much alone and that might start their mental decline in many directions.
lonestarnot (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:39 AM
Response to Reply #6
8. Stark reality isn't it. Sucks.
Wickerman (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:23 AM
Response to Original message
7. I was certain the OP said : One-Third of Senators Have Mental Decline
That would certainly explain a lot...
Jokes aside, getting this info quantified is big. We are facing an explosion in the next few years of older folks and the resources needed are not in place.
troubleinwinter (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 12:57 AM
Response to Original message
9. What a crappy article. "22% over 71". Lies, damned lies and statistics.
Were all of them over 90? Were 90% over 88? Were 79% over 87? We don't know. Trash.
I have friends who are 95 and 94 and 85. Smarter and sharper than I've ever been. I meet with 100 people who are interested in a subject every month, most are well over 70, and into their 80s and 90s. Dynamic, sharp, interested and interesting people. They enjoy cocktails, too. And smart jokes. Their bodies are wrinkly, but their minds are quick and sharp.
This article is complete shit. It seeks to diminish elder people and their worth, energy, intelligence and abilities. Why didn't they make the cut-off age at 52? Or 37 or 61? I'm dumber at 57 than many of the people at age 80 that I know.
Or at franksolich's age.
My fellow alum Skins, Pedro Picasso, Doug's ex-wife, Oscar Wilde, and franksolich all have similar IQs, within a point or less of each other. Of course, Doug's ex-wife's is considerably corroded, but it was there, once.
tpsbmam (447 posts) Tue Mar-18-08 07:46 AM
Response to Reply #9
20. It's not complete shit
I agree with you in that I know a number of people over age 80 who are sharp, intelligent and vital. It is a fact, though, that one's risk of developing dementias of various kinds increases with age. Alzheimer's, to choose the most prevalent, is found in about 10% of people over 65 It's found in almost 50% of people over age 85. Age is one of the primary risk factors for Alzheimer's. Like you I don't want to see our elders diminished in people's views in any way -- hell, I'm not that far from being one of 'em! But yes, statistics matter. Knowing the full of vitality & smarts of people we encounter over say 80 doesn't change the fact that there are millions of Americans in that same age group who need help.
And yes, that number is going to grow with the baby boomer generation. Are we ever going to institute policies that address that problem? So far, we haven't. I prefer to address the problem before it gets here but it seems the US won't since so far there's been a lot of hand-wringing but no action. Now there's a big surprise.
better tomorrow (719 posts) Tue Mar-18-08 01:03 AM
Response to Original message
10. I can identify with this thread.....my mental faculties are declining so that must be why I am on a DU message board....heh heh
harmonicon (1000+ posts) Tue Mar-18-08 01:25 AM
Response to Original message
12. what about non seniors?
Shit man, sometimes I forget what day it is. I forget tons of stuff. I hate John McCain, but this is really not a good way to put the guy down (he's old! oh no! Oh, shit! So is Clinton! The sky is falling!).
On Edit:
Oh damn.
I hit "post" before getting done.
Really, I did.
It must be age.
Well, I formatted it on edit, but I don't think I'll bother adding more of it; sorry.
