Preferred Diet for the Elderly

What is the preferred diet for older people? And what foods should they avoid? As you may know, nutrition depends on the age and gender of a person, especially to the elderly. However, as time passed, the foods that may be considered healthy in their diet may not be fit for their age. Older men have different nutritional needs than older women. They would need less of some foods and more of other foods in their diet. Despite this, there are a few problems when it comes to the senior's age and diet. 

These are the following that can hinder their nutrition:

Decreased Sensitivity

 > As the elderly advanced in age, their senses may numb down and take more energy and time to trigger something in them. It can also reduce their senses of smell and taste, which can reduce their appetite- and make older people have trouble differentiating fresh food from stale food. Because of this, it makes their health worsen.

Medication Side Effects

 > Some medications that older people take can cause nausea, suppress or reduce their appetite, and change their food taste perceptions. If left alone, it can discourage them from eating and make them end up skipping meals.

Poor Dental Health

 > Dental issues like missing teeth, receding gums, mouth sores, and jaw pain are factors that can make chewing painful and uncomfortable. Hence, it can reduce the likelihood of eating healthy foods properly among aged people.

Lack of Finances and Transportation

 > Aged people have limited resources and worry more about the money they have. However, they have to spend money to shop for fresh ingredients. If the weather is terrible, it can be more challenging because the risks of falling and slipping through somewhere while buying products are high. It can either cause them not to shop altogether, or cut back on groceries and buy cheaper food that can be less nutritious instead if they went out to shop. 

Physical Difficulty

 > As the older people become weaker due to their age, especially if they're dealing with medical conditions like arthritis and disability, the pain and reduced physical strength can make simple tasks harder for them.

Because of these, it can make things complicated with the senior citizens and their condition. However, healthy eating doesn't change much with age, especially if the older person has a proper diet. If the elderly are aware of their specific nutritional requirements and adjust to accommodate this in their food, they will be able to be healthy despite their current age.

There are a few ways for a venerable person to keep their body healthy. These are the following:

Eat a wide variety of foods.

 > There are a lot of foods from the five food groups. Calcium is essential for healthy bones, especially for older people. A few examples of this are milk, yogurt, and cheese. The World Health Organization has recommended that people aged 50 and above should consume 1200 mg of calcium every day. Another example is fiber-rich foods. These foods that are rich in fiber promote proper digestion on an aged person, and can also be known to reduce the risk of heart disease. A few good examples would be nuts, wholegrain cereal, bread, pasta, brown rice, bread, fruits, and vegetables. Aside from fiber and calcium, iron plays a vital role as it produces hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Some samples would be white beans, baked potatoes, oysters, and lentils — and there are other required vitamins and minerals needed in their diet.

Be hydrated.

 > Often, older adults are required to drink six to eight cups of fluid per day to reduce the risk of dehydration. 

Limit or avoid foods that are processed carbohydrates, high-calorie foods, sugary foods, salty foods, and expired foods.

 > These foods can risk the aged person's health to deteriorate and go worse in time. Carbohydrates in processed foods have a high chance of being filled with calories and can cause excessive weight gain for them. Sugar will also increase the risk of getting heart-related problems, like hypertension and diabetes. Salt will risk blood vessels to constrict, which is dangerous because prolonged hypertension increases the risk of heart disease, failure, stroke, and kidney disease.

Be physically active.

 > For older people, physical activity like walking, doing yoga, and lifting light weights can help with the right diet. They should set a goal to be physically active at least 30 minutes every day. It can split into three ten minute sessions throughout the day, and gradually increase the time as they become stronger.

Get professional help

 > It is also advisable to talk to a doctor about specific health needs and diets for senior citizens to follow through. They can also go to their family and friends for assistance.

Healthy eating may be useful for older adults. It depends on the person's preferences for their meals. Nevertheless, as long as they follow through their nourishment plans set, they can live a much better life.

Are Seniors at the Risk of Diabetes?

Are seniors at the risk of diabetes? How can they prevent the illness as much as possible? And are they more vulnerable to get affected than the younger generation?

In the enlightenment of the World Health Organization, diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (also known as blood sugar), which leads over time to inflict damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. This illness can worsen due to the body's inability to produce insulin.

Because of this, the Center for Disease Control says more than 30 million people have some form of diabetes. Around 25% of the older adults that are aged 65 and older have diabetes.

In diabetes, while younger people with type 2 diabetes are often overweight, obesity is not as common among older diabetes patients. Being underweight is as common as being overweight in nursing homes. Nevertheless, this can have a different effect based on the elderly's age. Some may be overweight, have heart disease, or have high blood sugar levels.

There are four types of diabetes:

Prediabetes 

 > This means that someone can have a higher than average blood sugar level. But it is not enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. However, it can go worse without lifestyle changes, but it is not unavoidable. There is no precise or exact cause for prediabetes. However, family history and genetics play an essential role in this matter. The most severe consequence of prediabetes is progression to type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

 > This means that someone makes little to no insulin and needs to take insulin therapy once diagnosed. It usually begins in childhood, but also can start in adulthood. Its form is typically caused by an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks cells that make insulin. In some people, type 1 diabetes may occur after a viral infection. And in rare cases, type 1 diabetes may occur after injury to the pancreas from trauma or toxins.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults

 >This is a type 1 diabetes subtype that happens at adulthood. LADA is similar to type 1 diabetes, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks cells that produce insulin. Unlike type 2 diabetes, adults with LADA are often thin and may lack a family history of diabetes. They typically need to take insulin within six months of diagnosis.

Type 2 diabetes

 > This is the most common type of diabetes that typically occurs in people who are overweight and inactive. People with type 2 diabetes do not make or use insulin well, like type 1 diabetes.

There are complications regarding each type of diabetes. These are the following:

Prediabetes:

 > high blood pressure

 > high cholesterol

 > heart disease

 > stroke

 > kidney disease

 > nerve damage

 > vision problems or possible loss of vision

 > amputations

Type 1 diabetes:

 > frequent urination and bedwetting

 > increased thirst and hunger

 > mood changes

 > blurry vision

 > fatigue

 > weight loss

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults:

 > frequent infection

 > weakness and fatigue

 > dry, itchy skin

 > tingling in your hands or feet

Type 2 Diabetes:

 > increased urine patterns

 > extreme hunger or thirst

 > fatigue

 > blurred vision

Due to these complications present, the effects on aged people may not be as noticeable, unlike younger people. Some symptoms that could connect to diabetes get ignored as they're becoming old. However, this may not be the case.

Other conditions can complicate diabetes, such as high blood pressure that can speed up the progression of common complications of diabetes. 

There are some ways to prevent getting these types of diabetes, such as:

Eating healthily

 > it is much better for older people to eat a healthy diet that is low in sugar and saturated fats. 

Stay active

 > having to do a 10-minute aerobic exercise 3 times a day can help in controlling the senior's glucose level, manage their weight, and stay active. A couple of examples of this kind of exercise would be walking, swimming, and bicycling.

Never miss a dose of medication

 > there are ways to remind an elderly to take medication, like charts, or alarms on their mobile devices.

Get Vaccinated

 > it is vital to get the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine each fall season. These vaccines are essential for older people with diabetes that are at a higher risk for complications from the flu.

Diabetes may be well-known and can be dangerous to older people. Despite this, there is a cure for the disease. With the right medication and a healthy lifestyle, the aged people can live without worrying about the illness itself.

Falls as the Leading Cause of Fatal Injury among Elderly

What is the leading cause of the death of the elderly? And how can they reduce the risk of falling to their deaths? As you may know, the falls are counted as one of the seventh leading cause of injuries and death for the elderly. It also falls accounts for the largest percentage of the deaths caused to this day. 

In 2016, there were a total of 29,668 residents that were reported to be aged ≥65 years, that died as a result of falling to their deaths— compared with a total of 18,334 deaths in 2007. The rate of deaths caused by falls increased by 3.0℅ per year from 2007 to 2016. The largest increase per year is from the ages of ≥85 years. 30,000 adults that were aged ≥65 years died as the result of a fall in 2016.

In the same year, there was a higher rate of fatal casualties among older men in contrast to older women which has a higher rate of non-fatal calamity. Here’s some of the reasons;

- balance problems

- poor vision

- osteoporosis

- muscle weakness

- long-term health conditions. Namely, heart disease and dementia which can lead to dizziness and loss of consciousness.

It is also likely to happen around their surroundings if:

- the floor is wet, polished or even slippery, such as the bathroom

- the lightning in the room is dim

- the rugs and/or carpets aren't present or secured properly in its place

- someone is trying to reach a storage area, like cupboards or even shelves.

These, in turn, may lead to dire consequences, for instance:

- bruises and scratches

- abrasions

- head trauma

- fractures 

- loss of autonomy and confidence in one's self

- developing an irrational fear of falling 

- loneliness and depression 

The higher rates among aged people is an independent risk for seniors. There are other risks to consider, and these are the following:

- reduced activity

- chronic conditions, in particular, arthritis, neurologic disease, and incontinence

- the increased use of prescription medications, which might act interdependently on the central nervous system

- age-related changes in gait and balance 

Although these risks may be dangerous to them, it can still be prevented. These are the following ways to lower the chances of them collapsing to their death: 

- Be mindful of the medication and side effects

> It's best to keep in mind about any medications that can cause side effects to the senior, such as dizziness or drowsiness. Taking more than 4 medications may increase the chances of them collapsing.

- Promote a healthy and active lifestyle

> Having to keep a healthy and active lifestyle can lessen the risk of casualties. This can also strengthen their legs and make them active in their lives. A few slow exercises like Tai Chi and water workouts are advisable.

- Home Modification

> Rearranging furniture to make clear paths for walking is best done in every household. It is best to avoid phone cords or loose wires lying on the floor. Keep the house clean and wipe away any spills so the floor can remain dry to walk on. Lay some non-slip carpets and mats on the floor to avoid slipping on wet surfaces.

- Home Hazard Assessment

> It is best to get a healthcare professional to check on the house to identify any potential hazards that may cause an older person to fall, and advise on how to prevent it.

An act of falling is extremely dangerous to senior citizens as they can cause severe damage to them. But it can also be avoided as long as they know how to prevent a drastic event from happening in their daily lives.

Loneliness and Isolation in Senior Citizens

There are a few times where the adult children leave their grandparents that took care of them to start a family but they're not aware of the major problem this may cause to them. What is this major problem all about and the risks it has? And how can this be prevented?

Social isolation is a term that defines a feeling of loneliness or isolation to the elderly. This is more common to females, rather than males when it comes to this matter. The older they are the lonelier they may feel which is a concerning factor for most people who notices this happening in their lives. This kind of change affects the elders mostly by the age of 75 and over.

There are also a few factors to consider social isolation. These are the following:

1. Senior isolation increases mortality in the elderly - adults aged 52 and up tend to have a higher risk of mortality due to social isolation. It is stated that people who lack social contacts or live alone may be at increased risk of death if they have started to show signs of social isolation.

2. The feeling of loneliness due to lack of contact may negatively affect their physical and mental health - regardless of the reason behind their social isolation— senior citizens that are suffering in this issue are more likely to report having poor physical and/or mental health.

3. Social isolation makes senior citizens even more prone to elder abuse - due to the rising uptake of socially isolated seniors, they are more prone to suffering in elder abuse— especially if they are in the nursing home care facilities.

4. Social isolation in senior citizens is linked to long-term illness - the illnesses and conditions such as chronic lung disease, arthritis, impaired mobility, and depression are associated and caused by social isolation. Moreover, this may also be the cause of the rise in mortality.

5. Loneliness in senior citizens can make them have a higher risk for depression - adults that are suffering in social isolation are associated with showing more depressive symptoms.

Because of this, there are a few reasons as to why the elderly suffer from social isolation. These are a few: - death of a spouse/loved ones - not being treated as the hub of the family - getting old and weak within their age group

And because of the reasons stated above, there are consequences to consider with social isolation. These are the following:

 - infrequent visits and/or contacts online to their relatives and friends
 - adult children living far away from them/not together with the elderly
- self-neglect
- not able to use social media like Facebook, Skype, Email, and the like.
- depression
- functional decline
- increased blood pressure by 30 points
- several medical conditions affecting them at a higher rate (such as hypertension, heart problems, and diabetes.
- immature monocytes weakening the immune system as much as possible.

Functional decline is measured using four different factors:
- ability to perform daily activities (such as dressing and bathing)
- ability to perform upper extremity tasks,
- ability to perform mobility (such as walking, climbing up the stairs and the like)

Senior citizens suffering through social isolation may feel withdrawn to interact with people. Thus they are reported to have higher difficulty in those 3 areas and have functional decline as a result. If this has been left unattended it may also cause early death to the elderly.

Families tend to notice the changes in the elders that are suffering from social isolation due to their close relationship with each other. Sometimes their friends notice this type of change in them because of this.

There are a handful of ways to fight against loneliness and social isolation before it may go out of hand. These are the following:

a. Make new friends - It is better if the elderly meet new people and get acquainted with it. Over time they may overcome their loneliness as they manage to make new friends, even if they don't seem to be living near to where they are.

b. Volunteer and help others out - Using the knowledge they have, the elderly can help the community out by helping in charities and assisting the younger generations on how the world works. This can also help them look back and be thankful for what they have done to help.

c. Get a pet - It shows that having a pet around reduces the chance of experiencing depression and social isolation, and increases the chance of senior citizens to be happier as pets love others unconditionally.

d. Take up a hobby - Having a hobby may keep them motivated, productive and busy. With hobbies they can set a few goals they have in mind to achieve those in their own time. This can also help them forget about the loneliness they feel and focus on the task to achieve within the time they have.

Social isolation is an entirely different issue all on its. However, it is not hard to stop. As long as the elderly have the support they need from their families and friends they would be able to overcome this problem that may arise in their lives.

Possible Problems When You Grow Old

When a child is born, he has no knowledge of the world. There are no weights on his shoulder and no care at all. Just a sweet, innocent child. But as he grows older, he is expected to do more, not only for himself but also for the sake of those who surround him. This is where the burden starts. Most people, nowadays, are facing serious problems which are not taken seriously by the world. Whether it be health, financial, status or personal, these are being shouldered by the majority of the world’s population.
There are five stages of life. Infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. We find ourselves in a different situation as we grow and we do all that we can just to survive the struggles in life. But for starters (those who are in younger age), facing these problems can be quite a challenge yet worth experiencing moments in life. They mostly take in the problems as a thrilling adventure with no worries whether they’ll be able to succeed or not.
But for those at a late age, it is a widely different perspective. The problem becomes serious matters, gets tougher and harder to face because of the changes they’ve already undergone. Most of the time we take these as overreacting, exaggerations and just blues of the old people but we don’t understand why they act and think like that. But come and think of it, what might be your reaction towards a problem thrown at you when you reach your 60’s or ages above it? Wouldn’t you be pitying yourself when you cannot do the things you usually do by yourself? Wouldn’t it be nice to sustain your needs without feeling like you’ve been pestering somebody else to provide it for you?

Here are some of the problems you might also be encountering in your late age.

Physiological

Old age is the stage of life where most experience physical decline. Though one's condition depends upon inherited problems, daily habits, faulty diet, gluttony, malnutrition, infections, inadequate rest/overwork, emotional stress, endocrine disorders and environmental or weather conditions are common secondary causes.
As their body gets affected by the above-said factors, more changes are being experienced by elderlies. Their skin loses elasticity, becomes rough and wrinkly. Their veins usually show out and their skin color becomes pale as the age advances. Due to teeth decaying or loss of teeth, their jaws become smaller and have saggy skins. The loss of dentures affects the way they speak and eat. Their cheeks also start to sag and wrinkle while their lids become baggy. The bones harden as they age, become brittle and are easy to break and be fractured. Also, the changes in their nervous system influence the brain. Some soft organs are to deteriorate particularly the liver and spleen.
The aged are also prone to heart and respiratory diseases. Also accident-prone, due to their slow reaction to danger as results of sense organ malfunction and declining mental abilities and motor skills.

 Psychological

As it is present in the younger ages, psychological problems such as anxieties and different types of disorders. There are two common disorders present in old aged people namely; Cerebral Arteriosclerosis and the other Dementia. This covers approximately 80% of the older adult population in civilized societies.

Social

Social losses come greatly with age. This is because the elders and the extremely young are the most vulnerable age groups in society. Social problems that are commonly encountered by old ages include isolation, dependency, financial instability, at times poverty, lack of access to appropriate health care, and so on.


Mostly due to loss of social roles they once performed or sometimes because of chronic health problems, they likely feel rejected and lonely. They rely on others which decreases their independence, and others that restricts them from participating in the social life.

Emotional

Of course, we all know the roles that adults play in the family. But as they grow older, their tight grip to that role and control over the family also starts to fade. They still do want to get involved in family matters and business issues but due to the generation gap, the younger ones do not seek the advice and do not pay attention to their opinions anymore. Instead of sympathizing and showing care to what the elderly may feel, they tend to build up their own position in the family and start to assert their rights and power. This creates restrictions and boundaries between the family which leaves the old age feeling neglected and isolated.
Another emotional problem factor is the loss of a spouse during old age. This can be tremendously hazardous for one since they’ve been into a routine with their partner for the long run then suddenly the routine starts to break off. Death of a spouse causes loneliness and makes older people blue which makes them much more emotionally weak and in need of intense support from the left family.

Financial

This problem is obviously caused by the loss of a job or retirement at a late age. Though they do receive pensions, medicines and daily needs swallow it and make it hard to meet the always rising cost of living. With this, they are reversed into a state of being dependent on once the one they depend on.


The old age may be the period of physical decline, depressions and anxieties, disappointments, isolation, disease, and loneliness. Nevertheless, elderlies give additional sources of affection and enrichment when it comes to family. Some of them have learned through ages and their experiences may be also helpful when it comes to social matters like a business and dealing with different kinds of people. Despite all the problems old age may encounter, we must keep them active whether it be a personal or social good. We still need to show them respect and maybe give back the care, love, support or guidance they have given us in reverse for they need it most at this stage of their life. 

Millennium Home Visiting Nurses 

12221 Parklawn Dr. Suite 205

Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: (301) 355-0260

Fax: (301) 355-0262

Mon-Sun: 9:00AM-5:00PM

info@myvisitingrn.com

Challenges for Elderly People

What are the challenges for  elderly in this century? Are people aware of this issue? If not, here are some of the issues that are circulating around the world:

1. Abuse and neglect in adult daycare. 

Elderly people may suffer several implications as the years goes by. Dementia, Osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease are the more common ones in the age groups of 60 and up. It may affect people at the age of 65 by 10℅, and would then increase by 32℅ at the ages 85 and upwards.

Due to physical or mental health conditions, about two-thirds of the people at ages 65 and older need assistance with at least one “daily” activity. Such as bathing, or preparing a meal. That is why they are usually given to nursing home care by their families. However, Medicare does not cover the cost of long-term expenses.

In most cases, the seniors are expected to pay for these services, but it is only if they wish to stay in the nursing house care a lot longer depending on their condition. Nursing homes are not only extremely costly but also have a reputation of giving substantial care to senior citizens. Many nursing homes struggle with under-staffing issues, which can lead to neglect or abuse of the residents. Because the residents are often in poor physical or mental conditions, they can do little to help themselves if they are being mistreated or not properly cared for. In which all of these leads exponentially to elder abuse. Moreover, sometimes being in a nurse home care is not a good option for them and would much rather stay in their loved one's care.

2. Ageism 

Ageism is discrimination against people at their current age. This is mostly focused on the elderly rather than the youngsters, as this is how they have often viewed thanks to stereotypes. Society, in general, has assumed that older people tend to be frail or dependent, and a burden to everyone. Therefore, aging has been considered as discrimination to the elderly.

There are different types of ageism: personal ageism, institutional ageism, intentional ageism, and unintentional ageism. Each type is different from one another.

a. Personal Ageism - Ideas, attitudes, beliefs, and practices on the part of the individual are biased against persons or groups based on their older age. The younger generation is mostly influenced by this due to television, the internet, and the messages they leave to their mindset whether it is positive or negative. Moreover, they will be greatly influenced by these external factors, and would soon apply them to the elderly even as they reach adulthood.

b. Institutional Ageism - Missions, rules, and practices that discriminate against older age people. This is more common in jobs and workplaces, as most employees are younger in this current generation. Because of this, the older employees are forced to resign off of their position thanks to their own age.

c. Intentional Ageism - discriminating with the knowledge that they are biased against a person or a group because of age. Intentional ageism includes carrying out practices that take advantage of the vulnerabilities of older persons. Con artists are often common in these cases thanks to the discrimination over the elderly. Due to how the elderly are portrayed as a burden and useless, they would take advantage of this kind of information and scam them for it – effectively ruining their lives in this matter.

d. Unintentional Ageism – Like personal ageism but are carried out without the perpetrator’s awareness that they are being biased against people of age. This is also related to the first type of ageism, because most of the time the younger generation may have a biased outlook to the elderly thanks to the influence of the internet. However, this may not be really the case for them due to society’s discrimination against them.

3. Elder Abuse

Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted upon a senior citizen. It usually takes place in their homes, or even at the nurse home care facilities.

There are 6 types of elder abuse:

a. Physical Abuse – This kind of abuse involves any kind of inflicting physical force in any way that can be intentional, and would bring harm to the elderly. This also includes inappropriate usage of drugs, restraints, and confinements forced against their will.

b. Emotional/Psychological Abuse - This kind of abuse happens when people speak to or treat elderly people in ways that result in emotional pain, distress or trauma to the elderly.

There are 2 kinds of emotional/psychological abuse: verbal, and non-verbal abuse.

- Verbal Abuse includes:
➙ Intimidation through yelling or threats
➙ Humiliation 
➙ Habitual blaming 

- Non-verbal abuse includes: 
➙ Ignoring the senior citizen that would soon lead to self-neglect
➙ Isolating the elderly from friends or activities
➙ Terrorizing or intimidating the elderly

c. Sexual Abuse - This abuse happens when the caregiver touches the elderly without their consent. This involves physical acts, and activities such as showing an elderly person pornographic material, forcing them to watch acts or to undress without their approval.

d. Neglect/Abandonment of Caregivers - This kind of abuse can be intentional or unintentional, based on factors such as ignorance or denial that an elderly person needs as much care as they do. This is a lot more common than Financial Exploitation and Healthcare Abuse.

e. Financial Exploitation - This kind of abuse involves the unauthorized use of a senior citizen’s funds or property, either by a caregiver or an outside scam artist.

- An abusive caregiver might:
➙ Misuse an elderly person’s personal checks, credit cards, or accounts
➙ Steal cash, income checks, or household goods without their knowledge
➙ Engage in identity theft

- Typical financial scams or fraud that target elders include:
➙ Announcements of a “prize” that the elderly person has won but must pay money to claim
➙ Fake charities
➙ Investment fraud

f. Healthcare Abuse - this kind of abuse is more prominent in the nurse care home facilities where doctors and nurses would be there to care for senior citizens.

Some examples of this kind of abuse include:
➙ Not providing healthcare, but charging for it
➙ Overcharging or double-billing for medical care TV or services
➙ Getting kickbacks for referrals to other providers or for prescribing certain drugs
➙ Overmedicating or under medicating
➙ Recommending fraudulent remedies for illnesses or other medical conditions
➙ Medicaid fraud

There are consequences in regards to these after-effects involved with elder abuse: it may cause them to neglect their needs due to this kind of experience. However, the most common ones are the increased risk of premature death and post-traumatic stress disorder. The caregivers that caused elder abuse would be charged depending on how much they inflicted on the elderly person they were in charge of taking care of. These issues may not be as well-known and serious to most problems worldwide, but this is still an issue that should be addressed immediately.

Common Elderly Health Issue

As we age, our bodies also undergo tons of changes that can either be beneficial or destructive for our daily routine. From maturing physically, mentally and even psychologically until we reach the point where it weakens and even be totally impaired.

Nowadays, a lot of health conditions are widely known that is usually present in those who are at a late age. But what really are the most common health problems they encounter?

Cognitive Decline

Forgetfulness is really common when you reach the age 60 and above, or sometimes even in the younger age. We sometimes even find it funny whenever we come across someone who usually forgets things and takes it as a joke whenever it is repeatedly done. But if we take a closer look, we might find out that this simple forgetfulness can be totally alarming. This is because forgetfulness could sometimes lead to a more complex memory blur until it becomes total memory loss or dementia.

Based on statistics, there are over 47.5 million people around the world who already have dementia and this already large count is expected to rise higher by the year 2050. Also, one of the leading cause of death in several parts of the country is caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive declining problems. 

Immobilization

With the aging body and changes undergone by their bones, elderlies are at high risk when it comes to mobility problems. Due to the brittleness and low dense bone structure, they tend to have a hard time transferring from one walking long distance. They usually suffer pain in the joints or bones, sometimes even stiffness. 

Commonly, immobilization is caused by disease such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, rheumatism or even Parkinson’s; a disease of the elderly that affects the nervous system that causes tremors, shaking, difficulty in mobilizing and poor balance.

Physical Injuries

Accidents are high risk in an age like this who are suffering from brittle bones and poor balance. From simple bruises to major injuries like fractures of broken bones caused by tripping/slipping or falling from a high position. These accidents have to lead to an increasingly serious number that requires emergency care & urgent hospitalizations.

Cardiovascular diseases

These include conditions that affect the structure or function of the heart which is commonly present in an aging body and can also be caused by another health problem that targets the heart. Some examples are coronary heart disease or heart attack, cardiovascular disease or stroke, hypertension or high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, congenital cardiovascular defect, aneurysms, and etc. Based on research, cardiovascular diseases have the highest “cause of death” rates not only in the country but all over the world.

Obesity and Malnutrition

Weight health problems are not only present at a young age but also in older people. These may be caused by improper diet at an early age, diabetes, high cholesterol or even dementia (forgetting to eat).  

As the number of affected people increases, so does the disease. Malnutrition; can lead to other health issues including muscle weakness and immune system issues. On the other hand, obesity is a health risk factor for heart disease, diabetes or in a worst-case scenario could lead to cancer.

Respiratory Diseases

While other diseases target the heart, some of them affect the lungs and breathing of elderlies such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Mostly the illness is caused by their involvement with cigarettes/tobacco in their early years.

According to the CDC, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 3rd most common cause of death among people 65 years of age and older, with 124, 693 deaths in 2014. Having chronic respiratory diseases also increases health risk amongst senior citizens, making them vulnerable to pneumonia and other infections.

Sensory Impairments

It is given that the older you get, the lower your senses grow. Usually, your vision gets blurry, you find it odd not hearing them clearly even when they are speaking in front of you, your nose feels dead; making it hard to identify the odor and also you find it hard to taste your food like you usually do when you were younger. Sensory impairment can be seen as the most common and obvious health issue for some adults. They most likely suffer from poor eyesight, hearing impairment and also taste problems. Though others expect to experience these as they age, it is much better for us to try and care for our senses as early as we could to avoid these impairments.

Bladder Control

This may refer to stress incontinence or the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder that places increased pressure on the abdomen. Sometimes it is considered as a side effect of other health issues, such as having a poor diet or a chronic medical condition; but it cannot be prevented. All you can do is to easily manage it by simply exercising regularly, maintaining proper diet and healthy weight and also drink.

Millennium Home Visiting Nurses 

12221 Parklawn Dr. Suite 205
Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: (301) 355-0260
Fax: (301) 355-0262

Mon-Sun: 9:00AM-5:00PM

info@myvisitingrn.com