Did you know that May is also known as Older Americans Month? It is a great time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults. Here at Montes Medical Group, we take pride in providing our senior patients with excellent geriatric care during their golden years. By taking a solution-oriented approach, our providers can address common health problems our aging patients face in today’s world, such as bone and joint concerns, cardiovascular issues, hypertension, and dementia.
The support of family members and loved ones is vital to ensuring seniors can enjoy a fulfilling life with as much independence as possible. A consistent support system can make it much easier for seniors to focus on preventative health measures that can reduce their risk of developing unwanted health problems and chronic illnesses. In fact, many chronic conditions once thought to be a natural part of aging can be prevented or managed through proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices, and strong community support.
So, what are some ways in which family members can help seniors stay strong & healthy? Keep reading to learn more!
Encourage Regular Medical Examinations
Family members can play a powerful support role by helping their aging loved ones get the medical care they need. Helping seniors schedule and attend their medical appointments consistently is a crucial part of preventive care in later life. By staying on top of important health screenings, families can help seniors detect and treat potential issues before they become serious.
Examinations can include medical check-ups for:
- Annual physical exams
- Vision and hearing tests
- Screenings for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol
- Vaccinations (e.g., flu, pneumonia, shingles)
Support Medication Management
Managing prescription medications can become quite a challenge for older adults looking to stay healthy and pain-free. This is especially true for seniors struggling with dementia, memory problems, or lots of different medications. Family members can be very helpful when it comes to medication management and helping prevent missed doses.
Ensure your loved one has an up-to-date list of all their medications. You can also set reminders to take medication and integrate pill organizers to help manage daily prescriptions. Family members can also be very helpful when it comes to communicating any concerns about medications with healthcare providers, such as side effects or adverse reactions.
Encourage Movement & Nutrition
Staying active is important for people of all ages, and older adults are no exception. Family members can help encourage their loved ones to focus on their physical strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health. Doing so can reduce the risk of falls and make it easier for seniors to live by themselves and achieve greater levels of independence.
Some gentle physical activities for older adults include walking, yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, and gardening. For seniors with mobility issues, physical therapists can be very helpful in improving their range of movement and unlocking capabilities that may have deteriorated over the years.
Nutrition is also key for physical and mental health as seniors age. The proper diet can fuel physical activity and make it easier for the aging body to function properly. Focusing on a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is key to a healthy diet. Seniors also need to stay hydrated, especially if they are taking medication that can lead to dehydration. Family members can support these efforts and even encourage consulting a dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.
Help Seniors Fight Loneliness
As human beings, we are wired for connection and engagement with the people around us. Unfortunately, getting enough social interaction can get difficult as seniors age and become increasingly isolated. This can lead to loneliness, depression, and eventually cause negative impacts on their physical health.
Family members can step in here to ensure seniors are getting regular social interaction with their friends, family, and community. Ensure they are participating in hobbies and group activities they enjoy. When in-person visits aren’t possible, don’t be afraid to use video chats and phone calls to stay in touch. All of these efforts can keep seniors vibrant, happy, and feeling like they belong as a valuable part of their community.
Conclusion
As you can see, supporting older family members to stay healthy requires lots of care, compassion, and engagement from their loved ones. By being proactive and focusing on preventive care, many unwanted health problems can be avoided as seniors continue to age.
With the support of present and involved individuals, seniors can feel loved and cared for by those in their community. Ensure your loved ones are staying active, eating nutritious foods, and getting excellent care from their healthcare team. Doing so can lead to happier and healthier families for years to come!