Keeping an elderly loved one motivated to stay healthy, exercise, and participate in various activities can go a long way toward maintaining his or her overall physical and mental health, but sometimes it takes an extra push to reach the point of inspiration. If you find verbal communication is no longer effective for encouraging your loved one to stay motivated,…
Weight loss can result from a variety of health concerns and lead to future complications for your elderly loved one, making it important to understand its source and how to treat it. To help you better understand elderly weight loss, here are a few of the common causes. Oral Health Issues Underlying oral health problems, such as cavities, poorly fitting…
If your senior loved one has severe mobility issues or a debilitating illness, he or she may be bedbound. Caring for an elderly person who is unable to get out of bed poses many unique challenges. Fortunately, there are ways to care for a bedbound loved one so the experience is mutually satisfying. 1. Avoid Social Isolation Being confined…
As your senior parent ages, his or her risk of developing high blood pressure increases. Often called “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms, untreated high blood pressure can lead to kidney problems, strokes, heart attacks, and vision impairment. New guidelines from the American Heart Association define high blood pressure as 130/80 and above. Though your loved one may…
Older adults may reach a point in their lives when they cannot drive. While the inability to drive often results from medication side effects, it could also be due to severe vision, hearing, or cognitive challenges. Either way, your aging loved one needs to be able to get where he or she needs to go. Talk to your parent about…
Leg weakness in older adults, whether it’s progressive in nature or sudden, is worrisome because it can increase the risk of falling. In fact, anywhere from 20–30 percent of seniors fall each year. Here’s a closer look at some of the possible causes of leg weakness in older adults and some tips for what you can do as a caregiver…
More than five million adults in the United States have Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that the disorder is responsible for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s disease damages neurons and progresses over time. The resulting biological changes are commonly known to affect memory and other brain functions. The symptoms seniors experience are more extensive and severe…
Seniors have a higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital right after a visit than people of any other age. Certain diagnoses make it more likely for seniors to be readmitted because they’re either more difficult to treat or they result in complications more frequently. If your senior loved one has one of the following seven diagnoses, make sure…
More than 1.5 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s, and this pervasive disease can impact almost every aspect of an individual’s health. While doctors haven’t come up with a permanent cure for Parkinson’s, they’ve identified a few natural strategies that can be used to minimize the risk of developing this neurodegenerative disorder. Exercise According to a recent…
Taking care of an older adult who has dementia is always going to be demanding, but it’s important for caregivers to remember they can greatly enhance the lives of those they’re looking after as long as they remain diligent. With the proper care plan in place and some assistance from friends, you can help your aging loved one enjoy a…
