Your Comprehensive Guide to Elderly Care

Senescence is the time to rejoice achievements of life and fulfill the wishes that we once could not due to our busy schedules. However, geriatric diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may come in their way. To take better care of your elders at home you need to be aware of palliative care methods too. Helping seniors of the family in managing and preventing these dangerous ailments can do wonders for them and give them a positive outlook towards life. This write-up focuses on the same.

Ways to tame Arthritis in elders

Let your seniors run ahead of others with these tips to prevent arthritis;

• Provide fish such as salmon or sardines as it offers omega-3 and reduces inflammation in joints. 
• Offer a balanced diet containing olive oil, seeds, beans, leafy greens, fish and whole grains.
• Encourage your elders to control their weight and follow a daily exercise routine. 
• Ensuring injury free surroundings as injuries can damage cartilage and cause it to wear out more quickly. 

How to ward-off Osteoporosis in seniors?

Elders experience progressive loss of bone density in senior years and that puts them at risk of osteoporosis. To help them curb the risk of this disease, follow the tips below: –

• Provide a diet rich in dark leafy greens, whole grains, meat and fish as they contain a high amount of calcium, vitamin D and protein.
• Encourage seniors to get out in sunlight as it offers vitamin D and can boost bone health.
• Exercising regularly promotes bone mass and bone density & can prevent osteoporosis.
• Convince elders to quit smoking and alcohol as cigarette speeds up bone loss and alcohol increases the risk of fracture if they fall.

Hacks to curb Osteoarthritis

Don’t let your loved ones’ joints wear out early. 

• Keep a check on diabetes and their sugar intake.
• Ensure seniors don’t put unnecessary weight on joints. 
• Encourage them to maintain healthy weight.
• Poor sleep aggravates joint pain and stress. Hence, ensure that they sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours.

Help in Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Offer a balanced diet containing olive oil, beans, leafy greens, fish and whole grains.
2. Seniors must rest well along with doing physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day.
3. Don’t give elders refined, processed foods and pro-inflammatory animal-derived foods .
4. Make sure your place is well lit and organized so that loved ones don’t fall off.
5. Encourage elders to see doctor often for checkups.

Better palliative care starts with these tips

Great health and safety for your elders is your motto. Attain your goal with below simple hacks.

1. Keep senior’s bedroom on ground floor if possible and it should also be near the toilet.
2. Provide elders a wheelchair if they need one  
3. Install grab bars and bench inside bathroom or on stairs.
4. Ensure their room is well lit and well ventilated.
5. Set your loved one’s bed near windows to ensure they get enough sunlight and fresh air.

You should also consult a doctor if your elder’s condition doesn’t seem to get better, even after following the above mentioned tips to boost their health. And remember, no matter how much you do for them, they may still act weird, shout and fight (due to their condition). Keep Calm and lend them an ear!