According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, elderly preventive care can reduce the risk of diseases, disabilities, and death. As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to different health conditions.
This means preventive healthcare services become a necessity for maintaining good health. Learning senior health strategies you can implement at home for your loved one is important.
Preventive care strategies for the elderly ensure your loved one stays healthy throughout their golden years. Read on to learn what you need to know to address the health needs of seniors effectively.
An integral element of healthy aging practices is regular health checkups and screenings. Even if your loved one is healthy, see a physician thrice every year to get a clear picture of their health status.
Regular medical checkups are essential for identifying potential health issues affecting seniors. Doing so enhances your ability to implement preventive health strategies to limit or eliminate the risk of more adverse health events.
Besides medical checkups, ensure your loved one gets at least seven hours of sleep every night. Here are some of the health events that can be addressed through regular screenings:
Staying on top of regular screenings also gives you access to more preventive care tips from your physician. For instance, your doctor may advise that your loved one engage in physical activity to manage their weight if they are at risk for obesity, and they may provide elderly wellness advice.
These medical checkups also make it easier to catch diseases early. This measure enhances the doctor's ability to create effective treatment plans.
Physical exercise and activity are essential to safeguarding one's health as they age. Ensure your loved one gets enough exercise through light to moderate physical activity. Seniors can enjoy a variety of ways to become physically active, such as walking, running, or yoga.
Get mobility aids such as canes or walkers if your loved one has trouble getting around. Some other tips you can follow to enhance physical exercise are as follows:
Consistent physical activity for older adults can improve their cardiovascular health and flexibility. It also enhances muscle health, leading to better balance and mitigating the risk of falls.
You should ensure your loved one gets at least 150 minutes of physical exercise weekly. Implementing this action might be tough if you care for your loved one at home. However, an assisted living community has a wellness program and activity calendar to enhance senior's physical health.
Seniors need to stay updated on all their vaccinations across the year. The leading vaccines that your loved one should get are:
Designed to protect seniors against conditions such as pneumonia, the pneumococcal vaccine is a must-have if your loved one has a compromised immune or respiratory system. The vaccine can also help prevent any complications related to pneumonia.
The flu, or influenza, might be common for children and middle-aged adults. But for seniors, the flu poses serious health risks that can adversely affect their well-being. Your loved one should get the influenza vaccine at least once every year or if they are traveling.
The risk of suffering from shingles has increased steadily in recent years. Getting a zoster vaccine is an effective strategy for enhancing elderly preventive care.
Medication use among older Americans doubled between 1988 and 2010, according to the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey. It's now common to find seniors on five prescriptions at one time. Medication management is crucial for both addressing current conditions and preventive care.
If your loved one already has a medical condition, ensure they take their treatments on time. Proactive management of existing chronic conditions mitigates the risk of complications and other comorbidities associated with the primary condition.
Here are a few tips for medication management:
Taking your meds as directed helps optimize your loved one's health. However, you may not have the necessary knowledge or time to manage your medications adequately. An assisted living community has on-site staff who can provide effective medication management and specialized support services.
Being physically fit may be an ineffective preventive strategy if you don't have the right emotional support. As you age, you may become socially withdrawn, which is terrible for your physical and social health.
Prioritize the mental well-being of your loved one by encouraging them to be more socially active. From joining a senior's social club to attending social and communal events for older adults, your loved one has numerous options to re-ignite their social life.
Socialization and engagement in communal activities are helpful to a senior's health because of the following:
Senior health strategies focusing on holistic well-being are more successful in prevention care. That's why many assisted living communities prioritize socialization to keep residents physically and mentally healthy.
Abiding by the above preventive care tips and older adult health guides can be emotionally and physically draining. You may need the very care you wish to provide your loved one. Luckily, there are post-retirement and assisted living communities in New Holstein, WI, that can address all your needs.
The reasons you should consider getting your loved one into these communities include the following:
One of the specialized services available in assisted living communities is elderly preventive care. The highly trained staff in these communities understand what your loved one needs for their optimal health.
Whether it's lifestyle modifications or nutritional support, Lakehouse New Holstein offers a supportive environment where your loved one can thrive. Contact us today to see what we have to offer.