People change throughout their lives, and it’s well known that getting older generates some major changes in how a person feels and acts. Being prepared for the normal signs of aging helps seniors protect their overall health. Knowing what’s normal also provides a baseline to use to figure out when it’s time to call the doctor. These are all normal signs of aging that seniors can prevent becoming major problems later on.
Mild Memory Loss
Senior moments may be frustrating, but they happen to just about everyone as they age. For instance, your aging loved one might suddenly fail to be able to recall a name or forget the title of his or her favorite song. While this is just a normal sign the brain is beginning to experience age-related changes, you should be wary of significant memory lapses. Once they interfere with your loved one’s ability to live safely alone, you may need to seek testing for Alzheimer’s disease.
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Potomac Assisting Hands Home Care provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Joint Pain
The senior years are a time when many people begin to feel the effects of the active lifestyles they led in their younger years. People who have been overweight may also notice their joints hurt. Joint pain tends to increase with age simply because the cartilage in the joints breaks down slowly over time. Encourage your loved one to stay active. Often, moving around can warm up tight joints and ligaments.
Challenges with Mobility
Joint pain and other health issues may also cause your loved one to have difficulty with mobility. Your loved one may complain that it’s harder to lift his or her legs as high as he or she once could to step over an object on the ground. Your parent may also have shakiness or stiffness in the muscles. Have any major changes in your loved one’s mobility checked out by the doctor. A shuffling gait could be linked to a stroke or Parkinson’s disease, and it places your loved one at risk for falls.
Decreased Appetite
Over time, a person’s digestive system also begins to slow down. Your loved one may not get hungry as often as he or she once did or may be unable to eat as much during one sitting. Consider having your loved one eat several smaller meals during the day. You may also want to eat together or have a professional caregiver help with meal prep to compensate for the lower appetite.
Elder care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sleep Challenges
Many seniors find they need less sleep as they get older. Sleep challenges, such as early waking or difficulty falling asleep, are also commonly reported. While you may not need to worry if your loved one is well rested during the day, you should ask if he or she needs help at night. Wandering around the house in a groggy state puts your loved one at risk for falling, and a caregiver can help with things such as getting to the bathroom safely.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional Home Care. Potomac families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (301) 363-2580 today.
