#embracing aging

[hinamie]

I'm always pushing you away from me / but you come back with gravity / and when I call, you come home

[lukesmithers]

In these poignant photographs capturing the final years of my grandparents in Fort Worth, Texas, a subtle but profound narrative of their emotional fragility unfolds. The visible physical and emotional challenges documented in my photographs of my grandparents echo the broader reality faced by many older adults. Late-life depression, a topic intricately woven into the fabric of their experiences, becomes a lens through which we can explore the complexities of aging.

As the demographic landscape undergoes a transition, with more elders and fewer children, the prevalence of conditions like depression in older adults gains significance. The photos of my grandparents, embodying the isolation and emotional despair often associated with aging, resonate with the broader understanding that depression affects about one in ten people over the age of 65 (O'Donoghue & Ryan, 2011). Major depression, impacting 1-2% of older adults, takes a toll on their overall well-being, contributing to disability and even premature death, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) (Zivin, 2013).

Delving deeper into their story, the photos become more than mere snapshots; they become windows into the psychosocial and organic pathways influencing late-life depression. The loss of independence, the challenges of coping with medical conditions, and the impact of significant life events are threads intricately woven into the narrative. Just as the statistics underscore the global burden of late-life depression, my grandparents' story serves as a personal testament to the emotional complexities faced by older individuals.

These glimpses into my grandparents' late-life journey underscore the urgency of addressing mental health challenges in the elderly. Their story, like those of many others, prompts a reflection on the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Through their experiences, we see a call to action, advocating for tailored interventions and fostering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of late-life depression.

O'Donoghue, M. (2011). Depression and Ageing: Assessment and intervention (P. Ryan, Ed.). In P. Ryan & B. J. Coughlan (Eds.), Ageing and older adult mental health: Issues and implications for practice (pp. 127–142). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. 

Zivin, Kara et al. “The economic, public health, and caregiver burden of late-life depression.” The Psychiatric clinics of North America vol. 36,4 (2013): 631-49. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2013.08.008

[chalkrub]

dinosaur in a lab coat - would you trust her with operating the centrifuge

[mind-of-sanity]

Aging Gracefully: Embracing Humility, Appreciation, and Adventure with Age

Daily writing promptWhat do you think gets better with age?View all responses As we journey through life, certain aspects tend to improve with age. While individual experiences may vary, there are some common elements that often contribute to personal growth and a positive outlook as we grow older. One of the qualities that often gets better with age is humility. Life’s challenges and…

[tedwgraham]

Aging Gracefully: Embracing Humility, Appreciation, and Adventure with Age

Daily writing promptWhat do you think gets better with age?View all responses As we journey through life, certain aspects tend to improve with age. While individual experiences may vary, there are some common elements that often contribute to personal growth and a positive outlook as we grow older. One of the qualities that often gets better with age is humility. Life’s challenges and…

[inside-my-gay-mind]

[ruushes]

not dead not alive but a secret third thing

[frankenbuggee]

This was the first thing that popped into my head listening to Dragon age: Vows and Vengeance.

[lafaiette]

Emmrich: is kind with spirits and demons, loves his skeleton son (who may or may not be a spirit of Curiosity), treats everyone equally with respect and kindness, is always ready to help, is shown to trust people too easily and get hurt in the process, loves being asked questions, enjoys places other people find creepy and eerie, is a powerful mage who uses necromancy and blood magic for healing purposes...

EMMRICH, MY BELOVED, MY HEART IS YOURS

[flareon-exe]

everybody should accessorize plushies more. just carry a little guy out and about with you. take pictures of them sitting with your mcdonalds meal in public. clip em to your belt or hold their hand or put them on your shoulders like theyre real and having fun with you. fucking act like a human and experience so much fun and joy and wonder in the world with a plushie of your favorite animal or maybe anime wifeguy or sonic character. lifes too short to not take simple pleasures in sharing your day with your favorite plushie or other object of choice

[1495-gauge]

there's that fucked up three-eyed thing that lives in the woods. whose turn is it to chase it off again??

[beresaad]

'You have the world at your feet, myself included'

what's a little blasphemic body worship between a messiah herald and her eagerly penitent warden?

this is referenced off of 'adoration' by stephen abel sinding

[briarpatch-kids]

YOU might be doing skincare because you're terrified of aging and getting wrinkles or having pores but I'M doing skincare because I like to put fun little goops on my face. We are not the same.

[wykart]

The elder men spoke low. They took a vote and said no. They turned around real slow. Where did they go? Where did they go? And the question oh, the question: can the kid keep his eyes, if the fire doesn't die? They said no.

They Took a Vote and Said No - Sunset Rubdown

[jadecantcreate]

in the whitchlite carinval. straight up “caking it.” and by “it”, haha, well. lets justr say. My chad

(some gideon exploration & little doodles)

[ryan-sometimes]

So my friend is an RA at a dorm and she just told me that she recently had to bust a group of freshmen who were smoking cigarettes and drinking beer while playing card games and neither one of us can stop thinking about how ridiculous that is