As We Grow Older, Which Of Our Five Senses Will Be The First To Go?

“There is no clear-cut answer to that question,” consultant geriatrician Professor Dr Tan Maw Pin says when we ask her this question. “There are many factors to consider.”

- Lim Teck Choon

For one thing, the answer depends on whether the person has any existing health conditions. Someone with type 2 diabetes, for example, may find their sense of touch being affected by the condition over time, especially if their diabetes is not properly controlled.

Other factors may include physical geography and cultural elements. People in the Himalayan region, for example, have a high prevalence of eye problems such as cataract. In Nepal, glaucoma (an eye condition that can lead to blindness) is prevalent as the people in that country age – a survey from the World Health Organization and the Nepal Blindness Survey estimated that the rate could range from 3.2 percent to as high as 9 percent. It is thought that the prevalence of these problems could be due to a combination of poor nutrition, lack of proper sanitation, the climate and other issues.

“There are many variables, and therefore which sense will be affected first by ageing can differ from person to person,” Prof Dr Tan says. “There is no ‘secret formula’, sadly, as everyone is a unique individual! It may be more worthwhile to focus on how we can go for certain screenings as we age to detect potential problems early.”

Let’s find out what these recommended screenings are.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Have our blood pressure checked every year or two.

Where? At any clinic.

Why? Age is a risk factor for high blood pressure. The older we are, the more likely we develop this condition. Earlier detection will allow for better management and reduced risk of heart problems in the future.

EYESIGHT

When we are 40 or older, we should go for an eye screening every 1-2 years.

Where? At an optometrist’s clinic.