Why Is Dental Care Difficult for Seniors and What Can You Do?

Dental Care: Many aging adults avoid dental care and that can be a surprise for family caregivers.

If you’re not sure what’s happening with your senior and her dental care, it might be time to sit down and talk with her about what’s happening and why. From there you can help her to make a plan.

 

Home Health Care in Northfield IL: Dental Care

Home Health Care in Northfield IL: Dental Care

 

Your Senior May Be Facing a Lot of Obstacles

There may be more standing in between your senior and dental care than you realize. She may no longer be able to drive herself to appointments, she may have difficulty brushing her own teeth, or she may experience dental phobia that she hasn’t told you about. These are big barriers to proper dental health and can all be valid reasons for your senior to avoid going to the dentist.

She May Also Feel Dental Care Isn’t That Important for Her

Depending on the types of dental work your senior has already had throughout her life, she may mistakenly believe that she doesn’t need to go to the dentist anymore. Lots of people who have full dentures, for instance, believe that they no longer have the need for dental care. That’s far from the truth. Your senior still needs care for her dentures, her gums, and her entire mouth.

Set up a Dental Appointment

One of the first things to do is to find out when your senior last had a dental appointment. Get one set up for her as soon as possible and let her dentist know if she’s got any dental phobias or any other possible issues that might affect her visit. Depending on how long it’s been since your senior’s last dental appointment, her dentist might break up cleanings, X-rays, and other necessary care.

 

Look for Possible Solutions to Help

What were those obstacles your senior was facing? Is it difficult for her to brush on her own, or is transportation the biggest problem she’s facing? These are difficulties that you can help her to solve if you know that they exist. For instance, senior care providers can help your elderly family member with personal care tasks like brushing her teeth. They can also help with transportation concerns.

Even if your elderly family member mentions that she doesn’t need to go to the dentist, she still needs to check in with her dentist a couple of times a year. This can help her overall health as well as her oral health.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Northfield, IL, call the caring staff at LifeCare Home Health & In-Home Services. Call (888) 606-4199 LifeCare serves all of the Chicago Metro Area.

LifeCare Home Health & In-Home Services