Chronic health conditions
According to the National Council on Aging, about 92 percent of seniors have at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two. Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are among the most common and costly chronic health conditions causing two-thirds of deaths each year.
Loss of Independence
Losing physical functions and having to rely on others for daily care is the biggest fear among seniors. According to a 2010 study from the Disabled Living Foundation, more seniors fear losing independence than dying.
Dealing with depression, loneliness, loss of appetite, weak feet and muscles are some of the problems the elderly face that you may not know. Many thanks to caregivers who strive to create the perfect environment to help the elderly overcome these challenges.
Focus on abilities.
Older adults who focus on what they can do and find rewarding, rather than any decline in abilities, are happier. According to a study in The Gerontologist, accepting aging and adapting to age-related changes is vital to successful aging and well-being.
conditions, physical disability, cognitive impairment, and other functional limitations. for medical care, medication, food, and other essential needs. If older adults are not able to get the medications, equipment, or special care they need, they can be at increased risk of complications and death during an emergency.
What foods should the elderly avoid? Your elderly loved one should eliminate excessive consumption of salt, sugar and saturated trans fats. Stay away from highly processed foods, sugary carbonated drinks and fast food. As for the specific products they should avoid, it is mainly foods that can cause food poisoning.
Older adults are at higher risk for chronic health problems like diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, 1 in 3 older adults fall each year, and falls are a leading cause of injury for this age group. Physical activity can help older adults prevent both chronic disease and fall-related injuries.
Cognitive decline can cause aging adults to have sudden outbursts of anger. Symptoms of cognitive decline include memory loss and difficulty understanding basic information. Your loved one might become upset if he or she can't recall a particular word or remember the name of a familiar place.
Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact.
When are we considered old? For women, the old age threshold is about 73; for men, 70.
Heath Care Costs – The cost of care is skyrocketing and as we get older, we require more care. The regular office visits, specialists, procedures and medications – all of these are very costly and they impact the resources of seniors dramatically. Consistently, this tops every list of senior citizen concerns.
Older people also face challenges in being able to access: » Suitable services in rural and remote areas; » Services that are sensitive to people's cultural needs; » Services that are sensitive to the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people; » Adequate social housing services; » Mental ...
Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night. But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger.
Malnutrition is often due to one or more of the following factors: inadequate food intake; food choices that lead to dietary deficiencies; and illness that causes increased nutrient requirements, increased nutrient loss, poor nutrient absorption, or a combination of these factors.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables that belong to the cabbage family such as cauliflower, Brussels, broccoli, and sprouts should never be consumed raw. These vegetables contain sugar that is difficult to digest. Eating these vegetables raw may lead to a number of gastronomical problems.