With age, the body begins to experience sudden changes, such as physical and cognitive problems. The aging process is unpreventable, but there are steps seniors can take to slow it down. Continue reading to learn some of the usual signs of aging and what your senior loved one can do to maintain longevity and enhance his or her quality of life.
Hearing Problems
Presbycusis is hearing loss that gradually occurs as adults grow older. It’s one of the most common signs of aging, and it can affect both ears equally. Aging leads to changes in the inner ear, making it difficult to listen and interpret sounds. Another sign is an inability to tolerate loud noises.
Your loved one may also have difficulty understanding what other people are saying, especially those who aren’t sitting right next to him or her. To treat this problem, ask your loved one’s doctor about hearing aid recommendations, specialized training, medications, and surgical procedures that can preserve hearing.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Elderly Home Care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.
Stiff Arteries
The heart begins to work harder in the senior years due to the arteries becoming stiffer and the blood vessels hardening. When your parent’s heart begins to work harder to pump blood, he or she is at higher risk for hypertension and various circulation issues.
The best way to handle this sign of aging is to stay active. Encourage your loved one to walk more, whether he or she joins a local gym or goes for strolls through the neighborhood with family members and friends. Moderate exercise and fun physical activities can reduce the risk of stiff arteries, keep blood pressure down, and prevent various cardiovascular problems.
A professional caregiver can assist your loved one with exercise. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of Senior Care. Leesburg families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Vision Impairment
Dry eyes, glaucoma, and cataracts are typical signs of aging that affect vision. The bodily changes your loved one experiences may weaken his or her eyes and negatively impact his or her vision. As a result, your loved one could have difficulty driving, moving around the home, or taking on various everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and grooming. Ask your loved one’s primary care physician about glasses and other aids that can increase vision.
Memory Loss
Forgetfulness is common in older adults, but this doesn’t mean your parent has developed dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This issue is often referred to as age-related memory impairment, and it typically involves misplacing items or occasionally forgetting the names of people and specific events.
Age-related memory problems make it challenging for seniors to recall things that happened years ago. However, neurological disorders like dementia can prevent them from remembering something that happened earlier in the day. To address memory problems caused by normal aging, your loved one should take on daily tasks independently and stay mentally active.
Various age-related conditions can make it challenging for seniors to accomplish certain everyday tasks. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elder care. Leesburg seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable home caregivers. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today.
