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Complaints of ARTHRITIS, HYPERTENSION, dizziness, and other medical problems generally increase with aging. However, most people who are even very elderly can receive medical care that will improve their medical conditions. Many people believe that all or most older people suffer from DEMENTIA, another ageist assumption. Although it is true that the risk for dementia increases with age, the majority of older people do not have dementia. Language That Demeans Older People Older people may be infantilized, and terms such as second childhood, old boys or old girls, old coot, old codger, geezer, and many other words and phrases are used to either pointedly or subtly deride older individuals.

Sedatives and Hypnotics Chloral hydrate Meprobamate Noctec Equanil, Miltown Rx Alcohol inhibits the metabolism of these agents and produces a depressant effect on the central nervous system that includes sleepiness, disorientation, incoherence, and confusion. Tricyclic Antidepressants (depression) Amitriptyline Clomipramine Despiramine Doxepin Imipramine Nortriptyline Trimipramine Elavil, Endep Anafranil Norpramin Adapin, Sinequan Tofranil Aventyl, Pamelor Surmontil Rx Alcohol consumption increases the risk of sedation and a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up (orthostatic hypotension).

Physical abuse may cause bruising, fractured bones, or even death. Note: bruising is not always a sign that the older person has been abused. Some older individuals bruise very easily, and yet no one has caused them any harm. At the same time, however, just because a person is older than 65 does not automatically mean that he or she must bruise easily. Consequently, any severe or extensive bruising should be questioned because it may be an indicator of abuse. Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse does not appear to occur frequently, but it does occur to some older people.