5 Common Health and Wellbeing Concerns for Seniors

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(Newswire.net — July 1, 2022) — With many people living well beyond the age of about 80, the average life expectancy is rising. Financial planning for your retirement is not the only thing to consider.

Looking after your health to ensure your quality of life is at its best in your golden years. Unfortunately, there are challenges that geriatrics may face later on in life. 

Some degree of hearing loss in elderly patients is fairly normal. Presbycusis is hearing loss due to age and starts gradually. This may make tolerating loud and sharp noises difficult.

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is common among people in their golden years and will affect both ears equally. Some common signs and symptoms include muffled sounds (especially voices), difficult-to-distinguish high-pitched sounds, and some that may irritate or annoy you.

Although presbycusis is expected in the older generations, tinnitus will become more common as you age. Tinnitus can be defined as ringing or buzzing in the ears that may come and go. 

It is crucial to protect your hearing throughout your life to prolong healthy hearing. Avoiding loud noises and wearing ear plugs are ways to protect your inner ear. 

It’s also worth mentioning that a senior’s dental health deteriorates as they grow older, so it’s imperative that they visit a dentist regularly. A dentist can also help in improving their smiles. If they have missing teeth, for example, the dentist may suggest getting quality dental implants in charlotte.

Cognitive Health

Your cognitive health describes your ability to think, learn and remember. Dementia is the most common mental issue affecting the elderly. There are many kinds of treatment that doctors recommend to help slow down the disease and manage any side effects.

Dementia is a group of particular illnesses that affect a person’s cognitive health. Memory loss and impaired judgment may be signs of this disease. 

Scientists have discovered that physical exercise, brain teasers, and training, along with controlling blood pressure, are some ways to stave off this illness. Puzzles, word games, and sudoku have been found to be the most effective in delaying the onset of dementia. 

Heart Disease

It has never been kept secret that heart disease is more likely to affect the elderly. High blood pressure is the most common among the elderly. 

The two most common reasons older adults seek medical attention are coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. The normal aging process can cause the blood vessels to become stiff, leading to many illnesses. 

A healthy, active lifestyle is an effective way to prevent heart disease in your golden years. Along with regular health checkups and limiting salt intake, you might be able to prevent the stiffening of your blood vessels. 

Dehydration And Malnutrition

Maintaining a balanced diet and getting enough water will help you live a longer, happier life. A lack of nutrition and enough fluids can cause malnutrition and dehydration, leading to infections, confusion, and muscle wasting.

Keep an eye out for decreased muscle mass, unintentional weight loss, inability to stay warm, and lightheadedness. These are all common symptoms of malnutrition. 

Your body needs specific vitamins and nutrients to function correctly. Deciding to increase your daily fruit and vegetable intake and taking regular multivitamins can prevent someone from becoming malnourished. 

Dehydration can present with insatiable thirst, confusion, and a dry or sticky mouth. Experts recommend that our water intake should be no less than 1.7 liters a day. This might initially seem like too much water, but when converted, it only amounts to 7.1 cups of water daily. 

Encouraging elderly people to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day is important. Remember to drink throughout the day, not just when thirsty. 

Arthritis 

Arthritis is generally known as an inflammation of the joints that may worsen with age. Symptoms to keep a lookout for include reduced range of motion, pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. 

Although there are different types of arthritis, most of the time, non-steroidal drugs and physiotherapy will be prescribed as a treatment for this particular issue. Omega-3s have been proven to reduce your risk of arthritis. 

Exercising, stretching, eating fish, and controlling your blood pressure can help maintain your joint health. Keeping a healthy diet will be beneficial to maintaining joint health. 

Protecting your health from a young age will help prevent the onset of many age-induced issues. Doctors and Scientists suggest a minimum workout of 30-minutes daily to provide a long, happy, healthy life. 

Some of the activities you may enjoy might benefit your health in your golden years, such as chess, scrabble, and brain teasers. The better the workout you give your mind, the better your brain will age. 

Investing in your health by eating well, getting routine exercise, and opting for various health checkups is the best way to maintain a high quality of life as you age.