While many seniors sail through their golden years without many challenges, others face various hardships. Aging adults can still enjoy their lives even when faced with challenges. However, the difficulties should be addressed as soon as they’re recognized. Here are some challenges your senior loved one may face and what you can do about them.
Social Isolation
As people age, they may become lonely and socially isolated. They may have lost their spouses, close family members, or longtime friends. If your loved one is socially isolated, schedule outings with family and friends. If he or she is unable to leave the home, invite guests over to visit. Interacting with others and having fun can prevent depression and restore a positive outlook on life.
For families living in Lakewood, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Mobility Limitations
Advancing age can pose mobility challenges, which may be the result of degenerative joint disease, severe pain, circulation disorders, weakness, or obesity. If your loved one has an unsteady gait or experiences pain when getting up from a seated position, make an appointment with his or her doctor, who may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, recommend weight loss, or suggest physical therapy to increase strength, balance, and posture and diminish pain and morning stiffness.
If the aforementioned interventions fail to alleviate mobility problems, the doctor may recommend a diagnostic workup. Sudden mobility problems may indicate a new health problem or the worsening of an existing medical condition. Health conditions that can affect mobility include kidney disease, cardiovascular problems, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and tumors pressing on nearby structures.
Lakewood senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Financial Hardships
Mounting healthcare costs, loss of employment, and loss of spousal income can cause financial challenges. If your loved one tells you he or she is having financial difficulties or is getting late notices in the mail, intervene as soon as possible. If you’re unable to offer financial help, contact the bill collectors to make payment arrangements. In addition, contact social services organizations, senior centers, and government agencies to learn about programs and resources available to ease your loved one’s financial burden.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Older adults may lose their appetites as a result of medication side effects, chronic illness, depression, renal problems, or taste bud dysfunction. Appetite loss can result in severe nutritional deficiencies, which may lead to weakness, skin problems, cardiac arrhythmia, and low blood pressure. If your loved one develops a poor appetite, see his or her physician. If no underlying cause is revealed, the physician may recommend an over-the-counter vitamin supplement, protein shakes, or meal replacement bars. Once deficiencies have been corrected, the symptoms may resolve.
Iron deficiencies aren’t uncommon in seniors. They can often be corrected by eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, legumes, and green leafy vegetables. However, iron supplements may be needed.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted elderly home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (303) 987-5992.