### people:

Elderly people
* Many elderly people acquire actinic keratosis or sun produced horny growth.
* Many elderly people are at risk for development of pressure ulcers
  - either physically or mentally unable to look after themselves
  - complain of loss of taste, making eating much less enjoyable
  - enjoy an active retirement and contribute to economic, cultural and social life
* Many elderly people experience anxiety over personal finances and life changes
  - mild cognitive impairments
  - fear sickness, dependency, and potential poverty, causing extreme anxiety
  - feel cold at temperatures that younger people find normal
* Many elderly people have an undetected problem with alcohol
  - painful chronic conditions
  - some degree of osteoarthritis
  - trouble sleeping at night
  - live in nursing homes
  - lose the ability to distinguish between salty, sour, sweet, and bitter flavors
  - rely on medication aids such as the seven-day pill dispenser
  - tend to eat very poorly with little variety
* Most elderly people are less concerned about themselves
  - choose to have in-home care over nursing home care
  - fear death less than younger people fear it
* Most elderly people have deficiencies, making osteoporosis worse
  - lack sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid
* Most elderly people live in suburban or rural areas, making access even more difficult
  - their own homes or apartments, and they probably prefer it that way
* Some elderly people are hard of hearing
  - unable to detect the odorant in gas
  - become reclusive or are institutionalized unnecessarily because of incontinence
  - experience short term confusion and disorientation from the anesthesia
  - suffer from a gradually weakening heart
* account for the largest percentage of hypothermia victims.
* appear to be more susceptible to severe neurological disease.
* are also prone to painful diseases and medical problems.
* are at increased risk for nutrient deficiency
  - of injuries, illnesses and falls
  - risk as are the middle-aged and adolescents
  - deficient in folic acid, either because a poor diet or poor absorption
  - furthermore at risk for malnutrition or dehydration
  - located in homes
* are more likely to be severely affected by West Nile Virus
  - develop osteoporosis than younger people
  - live in rural areas than are younger people
  - sensitive to analgesic effects of opiate drugs
  - susceptible to side effects
  - than twice as susceptible to adverse drug reactions as younger adults
* are most at risk for getting sick from food poisoning
  - from flu
  - often very able to establish mutual respect with young people
  - one of several categories of high-risk patients
  - scared to think about death
* are the fastest-growing segment of the population
  - group least likely to be victims of a crime against the person
  - largest consumers of medicines to fight their aging bodies
  - very vulnerable to smoke
  - vulnerable because fluid levels become more difficult for the body to regulate
* are, by virtue of their age, at greater risk of stroke
  - of course, more prone to visual fatigue
* can lose their vitality and can be bed ridden for couple days.
* come from far away in search of water.
* differ widely in physical ability as well as in social and economic status.
* engage in meaningful and satisfying leisure activities.
* experience changes in their nutritional requirements.
* feel shy to use hearing aids.
* have a pigtail tied on top of their head and covered with a black turban
  - less fear of death and dying than younger people
  - trouble keeping their bodies warm and blankets are important
* loitering in public places are fonts of knowledge.
* lose important respiratory defense mechanisms as they age.
* love getting company when they are at nursing homes.
* metabolize the verapamil enantiomer more slowly than young people.
* read more than most age groups and value their libraries.
* require more routine and preventive care services than working adults.
* spend more on drugs than on doctor bills.
* suffer from insecurity and pain.
* tend to develop cancer more frequently than younger people
  - get lonely, especially when there are no children around
  - use more lethal methods and they often have stronger suicidal intent
* vote and, as a result, their health is politically important.
+ Osteoporosis: Diseases and disorders of bones
  * Osteoporosis' is the weakening of bones in the body. It is caused by lack of calcium deposited in the bones. This lack of calcium causes the bones to become brittle, so they break easily. Some side effects are limping. Elderly people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than younger people. The amount of calcium in the bones decreases as a person gets older. There are three kinds of osteoporosis.