Senior Care Disability Needs

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Dec
2011

It has been reported that most seniors will likely have some type of a disability and the severity increases sharply with age. The majority of these disabilities come from illnesses like cancer, heart attacks, arthritis, back pain, spine/joint disorders and diabetes. Diseases such as these require medications. And while seniors make up only 13% of the US population they consume 40% of all prescription drugs and 35% of over-the-counter drugs, which is the equivalent to 14-18 prescriptions a year per senior.

The cycle seems to be never-ending as the senior who becomes ill, receives medication, has a fall due to medication, ends up with chronic pain, which leads to arthritis, which requires a medicine, which leads to a fall and so on.

So what can we do? There are a few proactive measures we can take.

1. Indoor and Outdoor Environment - Check their environment for poor lighting, clutter and tripping hazards such as, extension cords, rugs, pets and uneven walking surfaces.

2. Physical Changes - Keep a close eye on them and watch for degenerative changes such as, problems with the spine, strength and flexibility and decreased hearing and vision and changes in sleep and bathroom patterns.

3. Chronic Health Conditions - Make sure to adequately manage their high blood pressure, heart problems, bladder problems or diabetes.

4. Medication Management - High blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sleep aids, anti-seizure medications, and heart antarrhythmic medications can cause confusion, depression drowsiness, insomnia, loss of coordination and malnutrition so we need to take extra care with medication management

As you all prepare for your visits this holiday season, remember to keep your loved one's interest on top of mind. While you are visiting keep your eyes and ears open to anything that seems out of the ordinary. If anything seems different address it immediately by reaching out for help by calling their physician, a pharmacist or their caretaker. These four items while not all encompassing, will help maintain a safe place for your loved one and decrease their potential for mismanaged medication, falls and long-term disabilities.