What are Major Old Age Problems Seniors Face and How to Take Care of Them

People face unique health issues as they age. They become physically weak, their eyesight becomes poor, they even need help with their daily chores like bathing, eating etc. According to most of the surveys conducted on seniors, it has been found that about 92% of seniors have at least one or two chronic diseases. Heart disease, diabetes and cancer are among the most common chronic diseases killing large numbers of seniors every year.

Today, I am going to discuss major old age problems that our beloved seniors face and some steps to help them lead comfortable and healthy life.

• Our cognitive health is focused on our ability to think, remember and learn but as we age we began to face issues with our cognitive health. The most common cognitive health issue faced by our beloved seniors is Dementia, the loss of those cognitive functions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that seniors above 65 suffer from. Prevailing chronic health conditions, smoking, substance abuse can trigger the risk of dementia more. Elder Care Services in Kolkata provides Rehab assistance services to make seniors heal themselves both physically and mentally.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 15% of elderly people above the age of 60 suffer from a mental disorder. Depression is the most common occurrence in almost every senior. Unfortunately, this mental disorder is often underdiagnosed and untreated.

• Another major old-age problem associated with elderly people is falls and trips, which sometimes prove fatal for our beloved seniors. Aging causes loss of muscle strength and flexibility, increasing falls and trips among senior people.

• Aging also increases sensory impairments such as vision and hearing. They are extremely common for our beloved seniors aged above 65.

• Malnutrition in seniors is often undiagnosed and can lead to other elderly health issues such as weakened immune systems and loss of muscle strength. The cause of malnutrition can be many like seniors who are suffering from dementia may forget to eat, dietary restrictions due to chronic diseases like diabetes, alcoholism, and many more.

Now I am going to discuss the steps which you can follow to make your loved ones feel better.

• Ensure your beloved seniors visit their doctor every six months to rule out any risks associated with their health. Keep a track of their vitals daily and remain in constant touch with their doctors.

• It is often said that "you are what you eat". The diet of your loved ones should be a balanced one containing all the important nutrients so that they can manage or prevent chronic diseases. A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins would help our beloved seniors build a strong immunity to fight against any illnesses. We should also encourage our seniors for morning or evening walks or practice some safe exercises to keep their hearts ticking on a healthy note. Consult their doctor for a safe exercise plan.

• While we know that dementia, which most senior people suffer from, has no cure, doctors can prescribe a treatment plan and medicines that can help our beloved seniors to cope up with this dreadful disease.

• Encourage your beloved seniors to take up hobbies like gardening, reading, baking etc so that they don’t feel depressed and stressed out. Spend quality time with your senior loved ones to make them feel valued and loved. If you live abroad make sure you call your parents whenever you get time, especially video calls will make your beloved parents more than happy. Encourage them to meet their friends, plan surprise outings, book club meetings, religious discussions, movie nights for them so that they can socialize with others.

• Last but not least you can always hire a professional caregiver from Elder Care Services in Kolkata for your beloved seniors to make them feel comfortable and healthy. A professional caregiver will assist your beloved seniors with their day-to-day basic needs that will make your loved ones feel healthy and comfortable.

These are some of the common old age problems faced by our beloved seniors and the steps which you can incorporate in your life to help your loved ones to feel relaxed and healthy.

Debosree is a professional writer working in the Senior Care Field for quite a long time. She has written many informative blogs and articles on the senior care facilities that are available. He has a great reader base.