Health, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or disability. Based on this definition, it is understandable that the number of our fellow human beings who can be classified as healthy is much smaller than we would expect.
Old age is a period of life that is often accompanied by challenges, and one of these is changes in the neurological state of the individual. When we refer to old age, we are talking about the period of life that is characterised by significant physical and cognitive decline, and therefore requires special attention and care.
In neurology, we can distinguish two categories of symptoms: plus symptoms and minus symptoms. Plus symptoms are symptoms that a healthy person should not have, such as headaches or vertigo. On the other hand, minus symptoms refer to abilities that are lost over time, such as memory difficulties or loss of balance and other motor disorders. These symptoms usually develop slowly and may not be immediately apparent to the patient or his or her environment, so they are often attributed to the ‘normal’ process of ageing.
In particular, higher cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, problem-solving and judgment, are often affected in old age.
Another common word heard in association with elderly patients is instability. Instability most often can be attributed to a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s or polyneuropathy.
The fact that the symptoms develop gradually often makes it difficult to identify problems at an early stage. This results in many people not seeking medical help. However, behind these signs may lie a neurological disorder which, although not always fully treatable, can be managed and relieved by the patient and their environment. In addition to medication, the neurologist can guide the family on what to look out for and can also refer to other health professionals such as physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
It is important for families to encourage their loved ones to see a neurologist. The presence of a younger family member at the doctor’s visit can be extremely helpful, as they can provide valuable information and make it easier to understand the doctor’s instructions and recommendations.
We are talking about functions that are critical for daily life and independence, and their loss can have serious consequences for quality of life.
The aim is to help older people to live as well as possible, while maintaining their dignity and sense of control over their lives.
