A Few Things That May Make Older Adults Get Sick Easier
Elder Care in Wilmette
Getting older does not inherently make a senior susceptible to illness. However, elements might raise a senior’s vulnerability to seasonal diseases like influenza and other ailments. When caring for your parents, you will surely want to protect them, but you may not know much about the aging body. Don’t worry. You’re not alone in this.
However, you can help your elderly loved one focus on several things that will boost their quality of life and other things you can watch out for that may help prevent things. If you are worried about the quality in which your senior mom or dad is living, it’s time to look into hiring elder care professionals to help them every day. Also, elder care may help seniors stick to a routine and genuinely age in place gracefully.
Here are a few things seniors should know about that may cause them to get sick easier.
Not Focusing on Nutrition or Diet Needs
Often, a senior’s immune system may be weakened by poor dietary habits and a lack of vital nutrients, making it more likely to get an illness or infection. Fortunately, this issue may be remedied by consuming a balanced diet that includes:
- Lean proteins
- Dark green vegetables
- Citrus fruits
- Spices like ginger and turmeric
- Tuna and salmon
All these will help a senior stay healthy and can help fight off unwanted viruses. If a senior needs help to make nutritious food, it is another reason elder care providers may be necessary when seniors wish to age in place.
Diabetes That Are Not Being Controlled
Unfortunately, some prescription medications may weaken the immune system and raise the likelihood of becoming ill. This is the case with prednisone, a corticosteroid often used by seniors with respiratory issues to reduce inflammation. If you feel that your loved one’s medications are hurting their immune system, discuss possible changes with their doctor.
They May Not be Exercising Enough
If your loved one does not receive enough regular exercise, they may get ill more often. Inactivity may exacerbate chronic pain and reduce circulation. Fortunately, this is another often solved issue. But consult your loved one’s physician for a suitable exercise regimen. Numerous seniors benefit from low-impact exercises such as walking, stationary bicycle usage, and water-based workouts.
Anxiety and Depression Can Make a Senior Get Sick Easier
Reduced independence, social isolation, eyesight and hearing impairments, and the death of loved ones are some of the reasons seniors are more prone to anxiety and sadness. Also, stress may negatively affect seniors’ health, mainly if they are not sleeping correctly. But, typical treatments for anxiety and sadness in the elderly are simple and include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medication
- Finding extra support
- Physical exams
- Therapy or counseling
All of these steps can help diagnose and help control anxiety or depression. Sometimes seniors may suffer from both anxiety and depression at the same time.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Elder Care in Wilmette, IL, call the caring staff at LifeCare Home Health & In-Home Services. Call (888) 606-4199. LifeCare serves all of the Chicago Metro Area.
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