Aging is inevitable. It comes to everyone but the condition varies from person to person. While some lead a very healthy and active life, others fall prey to chronic conditions that impact their health and quality of life significantly. Even the financial burden associated with long-term illness causes a lot of mental stress leading to further deterioration of the medical condition. However, with advancement in geriatric care, anti-aging treatments, elderly support group, and elder care services, taking preventive measures for aging related problems is quite possible and it can significantly help aged people have a safe and healthy life.
What are the common medical conditions of elderly?
There are many chronic conditions that affect elderly people. Also, some medical issues that were not addressed properly during the middle age seem to worsen with growing age. Some of the common health conditions are adult onset diabetes, arthritis, dementia, glaucoma, cataract, osteoporosis, enlarged prostate, depression, cardiovascular disease, depression, and others.
Myths about aging:
- Diseases that start with growing age are not treatable.
- If chronic conditions persist during old age, the days are numbered.
- There is no possibility of autonomy and independent living at home during old age.
- Diabetes and arthritis are part of growing old and nothing can be done for them.
What can be done to facilitate healthy living in old age?
Sickness and disability due to old age can be avoided with a lot of preventive measures.
- Early detection of diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer can be treated if diagnosed on time. Opt for regular health screening.
- Diabetes, bone density, and arthritis can be managed well with regular and timely checkups.
- Schedule regular appointment with geriatrics to get timely suggestions and treatments.
- Opt for healthy life style that includes regular exercise and healthy eating.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and other unhealthy habits.
- Choose an appropriate insurance plan that gives certain relief in medical expenses.
What can be done at home for elderly care?
Old age needs certain changes in home to facilitate a convenient living. A little active participation of the adults at home can really bring significant changes in the elderly living and this could seriously please the aged parents making them happy and more capable.
- Equip kitchen with tools and equipment that are easy and safe to handle.
- Keep reachers at home and ramps to facilitate their movement inside and outside the house.
- Toilet seats should be at appropriate height.
- Equip bathroom with hand-held showers and bath chairs.
- Keep devices handy like their mobile phones, calculators, wrist watches, talking clocks etc.
- Engage the elders in physical activities, book reading, music listening, TV watching etc.
- Send elders in elder support group to engage them more creatively.
The role of outside service providers for elders’ care at home:
There are home health agencies and elder care services who can help take care of your aged parents in a personalized way. They can send attendants at home to help in assisted living. Not only this, for people with medical conditions, they can even install equipments, set appropriate beds, provide medicines on time, and ensure timely check-ups by licensed nurses to ensure complete home care at home.
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