Category: Senior Living

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance that highlights the importance of vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that immunizations help to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC reports that adults 50 years and older should talk with their doctor about recommended vaccines, which include the seasonal flu (influenza), shingles, and Td or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccines. Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles and the risk for developing shingles increases with age, according to the CDC. Additionally, more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 years and older. Because our immune systems weaken as we age, your doctor may recommend the following vaccines:

Heart failure is a common but serious condition that requires medical care. Approximately 5.7 million people in the United States have heart failure, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Heart failure is a health condition in which:

June is Men’s Health Month, a national observance to raise awareness about health care for men. Men die 5 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important health screenings for men age 50 years and older include blood pressure, cholesterol, prostate cancer, and colon cancer screenings.

The thought of hiring in-home care can cause fear, concern, and anxiety for aging parents and their children. Denial and resistance toward seeking in-home care can cause the burden of caregiving to fall on family members. There are more than 40 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. Sixty-one percent of unpaid caregivers are also employed.

Does your senior parent struggle to fall asleep at night? Sleep patterns tend to change with age, and seniors tend to awaken more often during the night and earlier in the morning.

There are many reasons that your aging parent may be struggling with sleep. If your senior parent feels sick, suffers from chronic pain, or takes medications with side effects, they may be struggling to fall asleep and receive 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Seniors are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, according to Medline Plus. “Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is critically important for older adults because of the impact of food intake on health,” according to the Institute of Medicine (US) Food Forum. “Years of research have demonstrated that diet quality has a huge effect on physical condition, cognitive condition, bone health, eye health, vascular function, and the immune system.”

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. When the body does not have enough water or other fluids, it cannot carry out proper digestion and other normal functions. Drinking enough fluids is essential for healthy aging, as dehydration is especially dangerous for older adults. Seniors often struggle with dehydration as, with age, some people may lose their sense of thirst. This is caused by chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and dementia, and by medication side effects. Dehydration can also be caused by immobility, as older adults may not have the physical ability to walk to the kitchen, reach for a glass or water bottle, etc.