Elderly, Health

Health issues to look out for when you get older

As you get older you will have more challenging health issues. But many of those problems can be prevented with a little extra care and attention. Staying independent is very important to people as they age. Mainly they just want to continue to live at home in surroundings they are familiar with.

Here are a few health issues to consider.

Foot Care

Problems with your feet become more common as you get older. You can try using cushioned shoes to help when you lose the padding on your feet as you age. That extra fat that used to be great for shock absorption is sorely missed as the years pass you by.

Always make a point of avoiding high heels or tight fitting shoes. Comfort should be key right now. Another thing you will find is that elderly people are also more likely to have cracked skin on their feet. The reason for this is because mature skin has less oil. To compensate for this, try a little olive oil massage on your feet. Additionally, make sure you regularly soak your feet and remove hard skin.

Good foot hygiene is so important. Don’t forget to dry your feet thoroughly after washing them. Furthermore, regularly check your feet for swellings and blisters, so you can keep on top of problems before they worsen.

It is advisable to visit a foot care clinic such as Spectrumhealthcare.com to make sure that your foot problems do not impact your independence and movement. Foot problems have been blamed for a high percentage of falls. Visiting a clinic can help advise you on ways to improve your circulation and take better care of your feet so you are less likely to have a fall.

Hearing Issues

As we age our ability to hear well decreases. Apparently one in three over 65 year old’s will experience hearing loss, this is because of medical conditions, general wear and tear on our bodies and our genetics. It’s scary losing our hearing. On SpotDif you can compare different hearing aids to find the most suitable one. Then you don’t have to worry you will miss sounds such as cars when crossing the road or a fire alarm going off at home. Plus you won’t feel as isolated socially because you will be able to follow conversations.

Mobility

health issues elderly

As you get older your balance is affected, so movement can be harder than it once was. A walking stick can help when out and about, it can give the elderly person more confidence. You can even get walking sticks with an inbuilt seat to rest when you tire.

In the UK falls are the most common cause of injury related deaths in the over 75s. As a result, it can be beneficial investing in home mobility products from sites like https://silvercross.com/ to assist with fall prevention. Especially if you consider once you have fallen once you are more likely to have another fall.

A stair lift can help you navigate those dangerous steps safely. Apparently, stairs and steps are the biggest cause of accidents amongst the elderly. With stairs being so hazardous at the very least make sure there is a decent handrail fitted at home.

However, another alternative mobile solution is getting your own elevator installed so you can continue to enjoy your freedom of movement. This all depends on how much you have available to spend and whether you have space for the elevator shaft. They do require a lot more building work than a stair lift or just sticking with the handrail. But they do have more benefits like it is easier to use in a wheelchair and you can carry more things upstairs.

If budget is no issue then the http://vuelift.com/ home lift has a lot to offer. It would look perfect in a modern home. It can be hard when you feel you have to conform to the traditional view of ageing. Sadly, there are a lot of age related stereotypes. But why not enjoy your independence and still remain stylish!

Sight Problems

health issues vision

Your eyes deteriorate with age. As you get older you will probably need to increase the light levels in your home.  Weakening muscles mean not as much light enters your eye like it used too. So, a simple solution is to install more lights, including night lights for better visibility.

Positive Mental Attitude

ageing

You don’t have to look at ageing as declining, with a bit of thought most elderly people can continue to thrive. Apparently keeping a positive spin on the whole process means you can live up to 7.5 years longer! So, don’t panic about these health issues just make a few changes and embrace this next stage in your life! A positive mental attitude will make the world of difference.