While many people assume that seniors stop having sex after a certain age, this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, 61 percent of men and 37 percent of women over the age of 60 are sexually active, according to a study by the National Institute on Aging. While the topic may seem awkward, caregivers can play an important role in ensuring that seniors are maintaining safe, healthy sexual relationships. Here's what you need to know.
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A third of all older adults fall every year, but less than half of seniors discuss fall-related concerns with healthcare providers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is particularly troubling considering that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors. Read on to learn more about falls and older adults, along with preventative measures caregivers can take to ensure the ongoing health and safety of the seniors in their care.
A Closer Look at Falls and Seniors
Millions of older Americans fall every year. Just how severe is the problem? The CDC determined that in 2013 alone, U.S. emergency rooms treated 2.5 million nonfatal senior falls resulting in 734,000 hospitalizations. Common fall-related injuries include lacerations, hip fractures and head traumas. Unfortunately, these injuries can not only detrimentally impact your aging loved one's mobility and independence, but can also increase the risk of premature death.
In addition to injuries from falls, seniors also suffer from another troubling phenomenon: fear of falling. Even seniors who survive falls with no injury can develop a fear of falling, leading to limited activities and loss of strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, this becomes a vicious cycle: the corresponding decrease in physical fitness may actually increase the risk of actual falls.
More than half of Americans have had a cataract or cataract surgery by the age of 80, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). However, just because cataracts are common among the elderly doesn't mean seniors have to live with poor vision and declines in quality of life. Here's what seniors and caregivers of seniors need to know to manage cataracts and promote optimal eye health.
Blurred vision? Cataracts may be the cause.
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Up to 11 million people in this country have some form of age-related macular degeneration, and that number is expected to double by the year 2050, according to the BrightFocus Foundation. Because age is a major risk factor for this chronic disease, it's particularly important for elder caregivers to understand this leading cause of irreversible vision loss for people over the age of 60. Here's what you need to know.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
While most people anxiously await the arrival of warm summer days, the arrival of hot weather, burning sun, and other seasonal factors present numerous health challenges to seniors. Keep these eight important things in mind when helping your aging loved one beat the heat this summer.
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Being proactive about keeping seniors hydrated is especially important -- particularly considering that a full third of seniors in long-term care facilities experience dehydration. Dehydration in the elderly can quickly become a serious issue. When older adults become dehydrated, they may experience muscle cramps, disorientation, confusion, and many other threatening healthcare conditions. If they are severely dehydrated, they may go into shock which can be life-threatening. If your loved one is non-verbal, he/she may be unable to communicate feelings of thirst. Not only that but the issue is compounded by the fact that feelings of thirst decline with age.
Many caregivers don't know how their aging loved ones would want their healthcare matters handled in the event that they were unable to directly communicate their wishes for themselves. While the subject is difficult, it's a worthwhile topic to consider: waiting for a crisis to occur can lead to regrettable as opposed to informed decisions. Let's take a closer look at how caregivers can initiate the conversation with aging loved ones, as well as other critical end-of-life information.
All caregivers have heard this advice at one point or another: "Make sure to take care of yourself." Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. While you can't snap your fingers and make stress disappear, you can utilize certain techniques and resources to manage stress, lower anxiety, and ultimately improve quality of life for both you and your loved one.
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Whether you've always shared a challenging relationship or his or her personality has changed with age, dealing with a difficult parent can make caregiving incredibly hard. While you can't change them, you aren't powerless in this situation. Instead, consider these six tips to help you provide the best care in the most comfortable setting for your difficult parent. Caring for difficult parents is not easy - but knowledge and understanding can help.
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“Caregiving is universal. There are only four kinds of people in the world:
those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers,
and those who will need caregivers.” Rosalyn Carter
Becoming a caregiver to another person is not only labor and time-intensive but it also comes with a significant amount of responsibility. Are you caring for a family member? Are you a professional caregiver caring for someone on a daily basis? Or, are you just a loyal and trusted friend who has taken on the responsibility of caring for someone in need? Regardless of who you are caring for and your own personal caregiving circumstances, it is essential to care for the caregiver while caring for another person. Caring for yourself could simply mean accepting help from others or taking time for yourself away from your caregiver responsibilities.
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While caregiving is incredibly rewarding, it comes with a distinct set of psychological, emotional, and intellectual challenges. From dealing with the grief of losing a patient or watching your loved one decline, to ensuring meticulous oversight of medications, caregiving is challenging and can take its toll on both professional and family caregivers. Fortunately, there are a plethora of resources available to guide, educate and offfer help for caregivers. Here's a list of the top four resources available that can help you to succeed in your role as a caregiver.
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