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           Aging with a Disability

All of us are aging.  We have no choice but to age. Think about the alternative . . . The key is not to avoid aging, but to age in such a way that we can still function and do the things we want. To maintain this function, we have to think about how we can stay healthy while we are aging.

As we get older, our bodies change in many ways. These changes can be physical, emotional, or social. If you have a disability, you must keep in mind that you will still have the effects of normal aging.

Many of the changes that occur as we age may have an effect on the disability. In turn, the disability may have an effect on aging. For example, people with spinal cord injuries or polio survivors can begin to show the signs of aging earlier than those without disabilities. Some people with cerebral palsy say they have an increase in spasticity as well as musculoskeletal, urinary and gastrointestinal problems as they get older. It is not always clear if these changes result from the disability itself or from having a disability for a long time.

Health care providers who do not know about the effects of aging on a disability may think that vague or non-specific complaints are normal. This can lead to problems if these symptoms are not treated and allowed to get worse.

As a woman with a disability, you and your doctor or nurse need to think about the effect that aging may have on you, given your disability. This web page will discuss the issues that go along with aging and their effects on women with disabilities.

You can click on the topics on the top left of this page to find out more about the effects aging may have on your disability. You will find ways to deal with these changes so that you can continue to function at your best.

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07/28/2003 01:38 PM