AGE-RELATED DISORDERS IN THE BIBLE

Judaism referred to illness as a symbol of evil that must be eradicate d. Jewish texts such as the Bible and the Talmud are thus a rich sourc e of descriptions of diseases and their proposed cures. The aim of the present study is to describe age-related disorders in the Bible with a special emphasis on psychogeriatric syndromes. A computer-assisted s earch of the Bible (Old Testament) using the index words: elders, agin g, ancient, gray, old age and old was carried out. Appropriate referen ces were scanned and categorized. The elderly are allocated a special place in biblical society. Physical changes and sensory impairments re lated to aging are extensively described. In addition, sexual function ing, apathy, lack of initiative, stroke and decline in cognitive abili ties are also noted in biblical texts in relation to old age. Age-rela ted disorders, both physical and neuropsychological were recognized in the Bible and humane and social interventions recommended.