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On a sunny weekend, Zheng Fan and his family went fishing at a lake in the suburbs and enjoyed a rare leisure time.
Unfortunately, however, Zheng Fan accidentally fell on a talc by the lake, resulting in a severe sprain in his left leg.
Subsequently, the family rushed him to the nearest hospital emergency room.
"Mr. Zheng, your leg X-ray shows no fractures, but I recommend that you do a full medical examination. The doctor said with concern, reviewing his medical records.
The results of a comprehensive medical examination showed that Zheng Fan not only suffered a leg injury, but also suffered from a variety of chronic diseases caused by lifestyle habits.
Zheng Fan is a retired secondary school history teacher who has loved education all his life, but his retirement life is full of many unhealthy habits.
In his example, we can see several bad habits that are prevalent in many older people that are difficult to change:
1. Reluctance to try new things
Even with the rapid development of technology and society, many older people, such as Zheng Fan, still cling to the old methods and techniques they are used to.
For example, Zheng Fan still insists on using traditional gas stoves instead of safer and more energy-efficient induction cookers.
This resistance to new things is not limited to the use of technology, but also manifests itself in daily life and eating habits, often resulting in unbalanced nutrition.
2. Over-reliance on traditional medications
Many elderly Chinese people have an almost blind belief in Chinese medicine.
Whenever Zheng Fan feels unwell, he always prefers various Chinese herbs and supplements, ignoring the diagnosis and treatment of modern medicine.
For a long time, this preference may not be able to properly handle health problems, but may obscure the true cause of the disease.
3. Neglecting mental health
Talking about mental health is still a taboo among older Chinese people.
Older people like Zheng Fan are often reluctant to express their emotions or seek mental health services.
This attitude often makes them feel helpless and depressed in the face of changes such as retirement, loneliness or the departure of their children from home.
4. Resist physical activity
Although aware of the importance of physical exercise, Zheng Fan and many of his peers still find all sorts of excuses to avoid systematic physical activity.
They often believe that older people should "conserve energy" instead of exercising, increasing the risk of chronic disease.
5. Improper eating habits
Diet is the key to good health, but many elderly people still adhere to a diet high in salt and oil.
Zheng Fan is a prime example, who likes to eat heavy foods and is reluctant to try healthier light food options.
This eating habit had a direct impact on his blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
Although these habits may seem unrelated to health, in reality, they are all closely related to the physical and mental health of the elderly.
For example, reluctance to try new things can lead older adults to become disconnected from society and increase the risk of depression;
Neglecting mental health and physical activity has a direct impact on their physical and mental state.
Specifically, for mental health neglect, studies have shown that older adults who are actively involved in social and mental activities have a slower rate of cognitive deterioration than those who are withdrawn.
In addition, systematic physical exercise not only improves the physical health of the elderly, but also helps to improve the mood and mental state.
The question at the end is: considering the current neglect of mental health among older people,
How can we design effective interventions that both raise awareness of their mental health and actually help them improve their mental well-being?
To answer this question, we need to consider a number of factors.
First, raising awareness of the importance of mental health among older adults is fundamental.
Mental health education courses can be set up through platforms such as community centers and universities for the elderly, explaining the basic knowledge and common problems of mental health.
Second, the community should provide easily accessible psychological support services, such as setting up psychological counseling hotlines and organizing psychological support groups for the elderly.
Finally, it is also crucial to encourage the participation of family members to provide daily emotional support to help older people better cope with feelings of loneliness and loss.
Through these comprehensive measures, the mental health of the elderly can be effectively improved.
What do you think about this? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!