More and more senior citizens refuse to move to the nursing home in their old age, not only because they prefer to have control of their lives, but also to keep their homes and be closer to their families. Fortunately, there are more options for people like that, like ageing in place.
However, that is not to say that they can ignore all the symptoms of getting older, including the lack of balance, poorer sight, and the need to take various medication. That’s why it is important to know all the dangers and possible problems faced by elderly and do as much as possible to prevent these problems from causing harm to seniors.
Falls Are Dangerous
There’s a statistic which says that falls are one of the biggest cause of injury and death in seniors. Even when the fall is not fatal, the injuries which they can sustain can be a significant impediment to the senior’s life. Things like limb or hip fractures can make it difficult for the senior to move or perform everyday tasks.
If that happens, you have an option of a caretaker coming to assist the senior from agencies like A BETTER WAY IN HOME CARE and heling them around. However, you can try to prevent falls by making some modifications to the house. Things like stair elevators, handrails and moving the furniture to create clear lines for movement can all help a lot.
Lack of Coordination
Sometimes it is not the house that is to blame for the falls. In some cases, it is the senior’s lack of balance and coordination that leads to the falls. If the senior has poor coordination and balance, you should probably get them to do light exercises. Not only does regular physical activity help improve coordination and strength, but it can lead to overall healthier and happier life.
Poor Vision
Another problem the majority of seniors face as they get older is deterioration of their vision. In most cases, it comes as a natural consequence of getting older. However, it is possible that some medication they are taking is causing this to happen. Make sure that you consult their doctor to ensure that this is not the case.
There isn’t much you can do about this problem. Taking them to the optometrist regularly is the best way to help them with the medical side of things. However, as for the everyday life, you can paint their furniture bright colors to help them navigate around the house.
Heavy Medication
In some cases, the elderly need to take a lot of different medication which can have some unexpected (or expected) interactions. Things like sedatives or pain killers serve their purpose well, but they render the senior unable to perform everyday tasks.
When faced with this scenario, you have only a few options. You can either be there for them, which is sadly not always an option, or you can hire professional caregivers to assist you in this matter. These trained professionals know a lot about senior care and will make your life, and the life of your loved ones a lot easier.
Chronic Conditions
Finally, your seniors may be limited in their ability to take care of themselves due to some medical conditions. Illnesses like heart problems can cause the person to be easily fatigued and winded. Other conditions, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, can also have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life.
If you and your senior have firmly opted for ageing at home, you may need some help from professional caretakers who are familiar with the needs of seniors and well trained for the job at hand.
