According to the CDC, millions of seniors are injured in their homes every year, and those injuries can result in lifelong health complications. Some seniors also develop serious emotional health issues after living alone for an extended time. Luckily, many accidents and health issues can be avoided with a little bit of planning and some foresight. Here’s a closer look at the top five dangers of aging in place and some steps caregivers can take to prevent those issues.
1. Falls
It should come as no surprise that falls are among the biggest concerns for seniors who live alone. Older adults are much more likely to experience these accidents, and it’s difficult for many of them to call for help after falling. You won’t be able to make your aging loved one’s home completely fall-proof, but you can remove common tripping hazards like electric cords and bunched-up rugs. You might also want to invest in a medical alert device your loved one can wear at all times.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies
Making sure your loved one is sticking to a healthy and nutritious diet should be one of your primary concerns. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other conditions can be reversed or prevented entirely with healthy lifestyle choices. If your loved one no longer enjoys cooking, you’ll need to find some other way to provide wholesome foods. Having friends and family members stop by a few times a week with healthy meals and snacks is a simple way to fill the refrigerator with nutritious foods.
Eating nutritious meals is one of the many ways seniors can boost their overall health.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
3. A Sedentary Lifestyle
Most health experts agree older adults should try to exercise for at least 20 or 30 minutes a day. However, many seniors never even consider exercising unless friends or loved ones constantly remind them to stay active. One great option is to sign your loved one up for a local senior exercise class that focuses on low-impact movements and fun physical activities. You can also help your loved one find a hobby that burns calories and gets him or her moving around. Pastimes such as bird watching and gardening are great options for seniors.
4. Social Isolation
A long-term study funded by the Administration on Aging found that social isolation increases a senior’s risk of severe cognitive decline, depression, obesity, hypertension, and many other health complications. The same study revealed that seniors who regularly socialize live longer and report fewer hospital visits as well. There are many ways to make sure your loved one is staying engaged and active. You can ask family members to visit a few days a week, hire a caregiver, or sign him or her up for classes at a local senior center.
For families living in Portland, senior care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care Portland, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
5. Cognitive Disorders or Sudden Cognitive Decline
In addition to interacting with others, seniors also need to challenge their mental abilities. Carrying out the same dull tasks every day can negatively impact almost every aspect of a senior’s cognitive health. There are quite a few ways to keep an older adult stimulated, including reading, learning a new language, trying out new recipes, journaling, and completing puzzles.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care service. Portland families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call 503-664-7934 today.
