Posts Tagged ‘senior health’

The 5 Major Causes for Aged Individuals To Develop Malnutrition

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Malnutrition is a highly threatening condition in the elderly, because it substantially reduces life expectancy. Furthermore, once an older person loses weight due to malnutrition, that weight is typically not put back on ever again.

Since old folks have a tendency to become ill more easily and are absorbing their nutrient elements rather poorly, they’re at increasing risk of malnutrition.

Common symptoms of malnutrition are:

  • Weight loss
  • Muscle wasting
  • Skin bruising
  • Dry skin
  • Oedema
  • Poor blood nutrient profile like iron deficiency, etc

In order to guard against malnutrition in the aged, there are five main causes to watch out for:

1. Medical condition - Most older people have some sicknesses or their immune system is compromised. Their sicknesses may cause reduced appetite or simply no desire to eat at all. Reduced intakes naturally cause further deterioration of the immune system making them even more susceptible to developing diseases. This can present a vicious cycle causing malnutrition.

2. Depression - Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease are usually linked with mood swings and personality changes. On top of that, aged people are frequently isolated, lonely, hurting, anxious and sick making their depression worse. Depression is often linked with thoughts of death or no wish to live. Typically depressed individuals also stop eating or have no wish for food, making them susceptible to malnutrition.

3. Dysphagia - Difficulty in swallowing is commonplace among elderly individuals. This condition is associated with neurological disorders like stroke, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Swallowing issues can lead to aspiration or the misdirection of food, drinks, spit and gut content into the wind pipe leading to pneumonia (lung infection), dehydration and malnutrition.

4. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)/taste disturbance - Reduced spit production is a common result of the ageing process. This condition is amplified by prescription medications commonly given to the elderly. Taste disturbances regularly go with dry mouth and that leads to reduced desire to eat as “food simply doesn’t taste good anymore”.

5. Cognitive issues - Poor food recognition, not remembering to eat, food refusal or simply incapability to open food packages can be great barriers to satisfactory nutrition.

In conclusion, while there are plenty of different reasons for malnutrition in the elderly, these 5 are the key ones to watch out for. If you know a senior who seems to have any of these conditions, please seek professional assistance.

Giselle Brand is an accredited practising dietitian and director of Aged Care Nutrition Services. She provides expert services including aged care menu review and nutrition and hydration accreditation for aged care facilities in Australia.

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In-home Personal Attendants For Seniors Help To Reduce Risks

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

It’s summertime, and the living is easy. Except for places with warm climates where dehydration is a real concern. As we age, declining kidney function and our inability to recognize thirst both contribute to increased risk of dehydration. Not only that, but those who have a difficult time getting around are a lot less likely to get up for a glass of water, even if they do feel thirsty. Without anyone to provide in-home care for seniors and to watch them for the symptoms of dehydration, the most vulnerable members of your family might be at risk.

In the elderly, signs to watch for include loss of skin elasticity, dry mouth, lack of tears, and low urine output. As a sign of further decline, you might notice your relative is confused, or appears weaker than normal. With scary symptoms like those, it’s no wonder dehydration is one of the top ten causes for hospitalization among Medicare patients.

Getting enough to drink is only part of the solution. It’s important to get sufficient amounts of electrolytes as well. Fruits and fruit juices are good sources of electrolytes, as are sports drinks. The best defense, though, is to provide in-home care for seniors who might be at risk. Having a personal attendant on hand who knows what to watch for will not only help reduce the risk of a potential life-threatening illness, but it will ease your worry and make summertime more enjoyable for everyone.

In fact, qualified in-home caregivers can handle just about anything you would do for your own family, if you could be there. In the case of hospital aftercare, for example, senior helpers can transport your loved one to follow-up visits with doctors and specialists, fill new prescriptions, make sure your older relative understands how to take them, and ensure he or she is recovering as expected. Most importantly, in-home caregivers are able to see any potential setbacks and take action to avoid additional hospital stays.

Senior helpers aren’t just the patient’s advocate; they’re your eyes and ears when you’re far away. Make sure you stay in touch with your loved one’s caregiver so they can inform you about any changes in routine or behavior, and most of all, to ease your worries. After all, when you can’t be there, in-home personal attendants are the next best thing.

We welcome the opportunity to help you and your loved ones within our service area, which is North San Diego  County. You can find out more about us by visiting our website at A Servant’s Heart Senior Care.

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What Should You Learn About Senior’s Health

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

As one advances in age, he retreats in health or fitness. Even though older folks are usually advised to stay fit, this is barely the case . Numerous natural transformations occur in your body as it moves towards fragility. In particular, the bones as well as muscles lose their potential lowering the stamina of the body, the liver and other organs start malfunctioning plus the vigor of the skin recedes.

 

But the fact is that health is wealth at each phase of your life. It’s more crucial when one gets into the senior citizens category because there are few caretakers in those times. Therefore, the elderly must pay attention to fitness whenever possible. You can find several ways that the aged can enjoy a good both mental and physical health.

 

1.Health Insurance- it is the first and main requirement of every senior citizen. A health insurance it your best friend in the time of need. It could offer you and your family the financial assistance in hardest times of your life.

 

But you need to be pretty careful in buying a health coverage. The plan that facilitates maximum benefits should be taken up.

 

2.Diet and Exercise- the dietary plan of individual varies with the age as well as other variables. Nonetheless at an older age, a person must be extra careful in issues of eating. This happens because, the antibodies or immunity system receives a setback during this age and one grows more prone to all kinds of health problems. The dietary plan thus needs to be thriving in vitamin products, nutrients, meats and carbs. Fat must be totally avoided as they make one susceptible to numerous diseases especially heart related illnesses. You need to have an extra absorption of calcium to aid the diluting bones.

 

Yet a rich diet regime isn’t adequate. Some physical exercises should be a part of daily routine in this age group. People must be extra cautious about movements of their limbs for the normal toughness as well as the illness preventing potential of the entire body keeps on going in older ages.

 

3.Avoid stress. Tension is as harmful as any other contagious illness. Never stoop to drug treatments named stress busters. Consult a professional if conditions run out of control.

 

4. Make new friends. Of course even as a senior it is not too late to make new friends. This helps your disposition and also keep yourself active with dates, meetings as well as social situations.

 

If you are looking for a reliable senior dating agency then you should learn more about our unique senior dating service

 

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