In the later stages of life, it is common for some senior citizens to experience a general decline in health and suffer from increasing medical problems. This can be because of adopting a more sedentary lifestyle after retiring from work which can increase the likelihood of developing serious problems such as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, an older person’s mental health can begin to decline in later life, especially if they are not stimulated mentally and spend a lot of time sitting and watching television.
Thankfully, there is a wide range of solutions that can help older adults manage their health in their senior years. In this article, three common health conditions that can affect older people will be discussed, as well as how these conditions can be effectively managed.
Dementia
It is estimated that dementia affects around 55 million people globally. While it can affect younger adults (in the case of early onset dementia), it tends to be far more common in people aged 65 years or over and can significantly reduce their standard of living. Common tasks such as preparing a meal can become dangerous if the person forgets to turn the oven off, and in the advanced stages of dementia, an older person may not know where they are and can be at risk when going outside.
When dementia and memory problems start to have a detrimental impact on a person’s life, it can be beneficial to consider moving them into a dedicated memory care facility. If you live in Illinois, it can be beneficial to search online using search terms such as memory care Westmont IL to help you find a list of suitable establishments. In these types of premises, there will be teams of medical and care professionals on site who can help the older person manage dementia and still lead a full and enjoyable life. Such facilities may also include activities that improve memory and cognition, such as music appreciation classes.
Declining mobility
In the senior stages of life, mobility levels may start to decline due to a more sedentary lifestyle. This is quite common, although it can increase the speed of bone density loss which can lead to an increased risk of sustaining injuries due to slips, trips, and falls. In severe cases, reduced mobility can lead to osteoporosis. To minimize the risk of this health condition, senior citizens should be encouraged to partake in regular gentle exercise routines. Taking a walk in the countryside and doing simple stretching and lifting exercises can be hugely beneficial in reducing the loss of bone density and keeping mobility levels high. On the other hand, if your elderly loved one’s mobility becomes severely limited and they are unable to transfer themselves safely, you may need a patient lift to assist with transferring them from one place to another. It provides a secure and efficient way to move individuals with limited mobility, reducing the risk of falls and injuries for both the caregiver and the aging adults
Poor mental health
It is an unfortunate fact that millions of older adults suffer from poor mental health. There is a variety of reasons for this which can include feelings of isolation developing if they are living alone with little social contact. Older people may have also lost their partners due to old age or poor health, which can be incredibly distressing for the partner who has been left behind. A key way to improve an older person’s mental health is to contact them regularly, ideally with visits to their home on a weekly basis. This can help them feel more connected to the world and can allow them to discuss any problems they may be experiencing while getting updates on family news.
