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As we age, it comes with various challenges and health issues. However, it’s not all bad news, these things can be managed successfully and having a live-in or visiting care professional can help with this process.
Having someone there to regularly check in on you or your loved one can give a huge degree of confidence and peace of mind. Just having someone visiting regularly that you or a loved one can speak to about concerns, can increase awareness and mean that if anything is amiss then it can be detected early and resolved. Care professionals can also help you or a loved one to book a doctor’s appointment and drive you there and back.
In this article we have highlighted several health concerns and what our care professionals would look out for, so that you or your loved one can rest assured that you are in safe hands, with a trained professional keeping an eye on you.
Heatstroke / extreme cold
Extremes of heat and cold can have an effect on people’s lives especially for older or more vulnerable people.
Older people are more at risk from heat stroke which can cause issues with dizziness, heat cramps, heat edema (where the feet and ankles swell) and heat exhaustion (leading to feeling tired, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated and nauseated). To prevent this, you should keep your loved one in the shade and keep the house as cool as possible with fans, dress for the weather, stay hydrated and avoid exercise or going out in the heat of the day.
Similarly, extreme cold can cause issues with circulation. To ensure you remain warm, even when the temperature drops, stay hydrated with warm beverages and soups, keep the house heated to 21 degrees, eat warming and nutritious foods, make sure you have lots of warm blankets and clothes.
Extreme fatigue and lethargy
Fatigue can be a big issue for older people, factors like medication, rheumatoid arthritis, infections, diabetes and untreated pain can all cause pain and issues with fatigue and sleep. Those experiencing grief, loss, depression, anxiety and stress can also struggle with fatigue. This can cause over or under sleeping, which in turn causes disruption to your routine and how you feel.
While things like gentle exercise and activity can help with sleep-related fatigue, it is important that other underlying issues are dealt with as well. Infections and illness can be addressed by the doctor and a care professional can help you with this. They can spot if you aren’t yourself, so please talk to them about your concerns, don’t suffer in silence, they can help you book an appointment to get help.
Loss of appetite and not drinking enough water
As mentioned above, proper hydration and nutrition is vital to wellbeing, especially in older people. Ensuring you have healthy nutritious food and lots of fluids to keep you hydrated is vital.
Our care professionals help with cooking and can make sure you have tasty and delicious meals to eat, it’s all part of our service!
Remember if you are ever concerned about yourself or a loved one, you can call the NHS on 111. However, in an emergency always call 999 immediately.
If you would like help or support for you or your loved one, please feel free to get in touch for a free consultation about the care we could provide.
