5 Health Troubles in Seniors which Come Unannounced

Aging is a blessing denied to many who fail to live up to the ‘golden years’. Unfortunately, this time is also characterized by a range of age-driven emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges that call for real support to push through. Health troubles in elderly persons do not always set in gracefully; in fact, they usually announce their arrival suddenly and painfully. Elders, therefore, need a support system to ensure that they get the care they need and deserve.

Continuing on the subject, we present some of the common health problems in seniors which come unannounced:

1. Dementia

Although not a condition in itself, the word ‘Dementia’ describes symptoms pertaining to loss of memory, understanding, and language. It commonly results from Alzheimer’s and impairs the brain’s memory capacity as well as functionality. Vascular Dementia is another type of progressive disorder resulting from blood-vessel damage in the brain or a stroke. What should be concerning for loved ones is the set of sometimes scary symptoms associated with the disorder. These include:

• Forgetting where they are or what date it is
• Having a tough time following a conversation or picking the right words
• Difficulty with judging distance
• Difficulty recollecting recent events

2. Stroke

High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure are common risk factors that make the elderly vulnerable to having strokes. This is a life-threatening event especially in the absence of immediate medical help. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain gets cut off. The key to saving an elder from a stroke is knowing the common symptoms and taking action early. This not only saves your loved one’s life but also helps them escape the possible complications after the health event. Common symptoms are captured in the acronym F.A.S.T, which stands for:

• FACE – Inability to smile, face drooping on one side with drooping eye and mouth
• ARMS – Inability to lift both arms and keep them there due to weakness in one of them
• SPEECH – Garbled or slurred speech and even inability to talk at all
• TIME – Time is of paramount importance as you need to act fast when you notice the early symptoms of a stroke.

3. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that involves the progressive weakening of the bones. In most instances, it is left undiagnosed until it is revealed through bone fracture resulting from a fall or trauma. Although the loss of bone density comes naturally with age, the abnormal loss is what leads to Osteoporosis. Women are particularly vulnerable to this condition owing to a rapid loss in bone density post-menopause. Taking Vitamin D supplements and engaging in weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises go a long way in fighting Osteoporosis.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes results from the pancreas not producing enough insulin. It is a lifelong condition to which older people are more susceptible due to changes in the body due to age. Type-2 Diabetes is a growing menace among the elderly. Symptoms of Type-1 Diabetes are the same as those of Type-2 with the only difference being that the symptoms of the latter take longer to manifest. They include:

• Tiredness
• Weight Loss
• Increased frequency of using the toilet
• Dehydration
• Itching genitals
• Longer healing time for cuts
• Blurred vision

5. Depression

Depression remains a condition about which little is understood and it usually goes undiagnosed with devastating consequences. The elderly are especially vulnerable to depression owing to a range of reasons and even their doctors sometimes miss the telltale signs of the condition. Those with Arthritis or heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression as the conditions impose restrictions on their lives. Loneliness is a major cause of depression in the elderly. The condition may amount to a loss of interest in people and activities and less pleasure. Take the initiative! Emoha Care Angels can keep your elders with the much-needed company, ensure they stay the course on a healthy diet, engage in activities and necessary exercises, and take their medications on time. Emoha Elder Care offers personalized care packages to suit the specific needs of your elderly loved ones. Contact us today to get more information on the Emoha elder care services. Simply call 1800-123-445555 or write to us at eldersfirst@emoha.com.