Declining Health in Seniors: Recognizing Signs and Seeking Support

Declining health is a common problem many older adult Americans face, with almost 95% having at least one chronic health condition, according to the National Council on Aging. Nearly 80% even have at least two!

While advancing age is a risk factor for senior health deterioration, many diseases prevalent in older adults are preventable and delayable with healthy lifestyle choices. Many are also treatable; the sooner they get detected, the more manageable they become.

For those reasons, it pays for older adults and their family members to learn how to recognize and when to seek elder care support for aging health issues. The team at LakeHouse Menomonee, our assisted living community in Menomonee Falls, WI, put together this guide with insights into these matters, so please read on.

Common Signs of Declining Health in Seniors

Declining health in seniors can manifest in many different ways, including:

• Memory problems
• Behavioral and personality changes
• Self-neglect
• Appetite and weight changes
• Impaired vision or hearing
• Mobility issues

If left unaddressed, these problems can adversely affect senior wellness and overall quality of life, making them more prone to other health problems or hospitalization.

Memory Problems

According to the National Institute on Aging, over 50 million people worldwide have dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the U.S. alone, about 6.9 million have AD.

Dementia disorders, such as AD, are diseases of the brain that cause a gradual destruction of a person's memory and thinking skills. They can cause the following symptoms:

• Forgetting names, conversations, or recent events
• Misplacing eyeglasses, keys, and other items
• Forgetting crucial dates, such as appointments or anniversaries
• Struggling to find the right word
• Asking questions or telling stories repeatedly
• Experiencing trouble with handling money or doing simple math

Behavioral and Personality Changes

Behavioral or personality changes in older adults often indicate declining health since the brain, which controls mood and personality, is susceptible to damage related to aging or disease. Such changes cause noticeable shifts in how people act and interact with others. They can be key signs of underlying medical issues like:

• Physical pain
• Dementia
• Mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety or depression)

Some examples of behavioral and personality changes that warrant attention are:

• Sudden mood swings
• Disinterest in activities they once enjoyed
• Suspiciousness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Impulsiveness
• Social withdrawal or isolation

Self-Neglect

Self-neglect is the inability or unwillingness to satisfy one's basic needs. Older adults may experience this problem if they live alone or have a health problem that limits their ability to care for themselves.

Some of the typical signs of self-neglect in seniors are:

• Ignoring personal hygiene
• Not paying the bills
• Not taking medications and filling prescriptions
• Unsanitary living conditions

Appetite and Weight Changes

Appetite and weight changes can signal declining health in older adults because they can indicate:

• Failure to eat nutritious food or meal-skipping
• Eating lots of fast, high-calorie, or fatty junk foods
• A physical impairment that makes it challenging to prepare healthy food, such as chronic pain or arthritis
• A mental health condition, like depression, which can make people overeat or not want to eat anything

Impaired Vision or Hearing

Aging can reduce or impair the ability of all senses, including:

• Vision
• Hearing
• Taste
• Touch
• Smell

However, according to MedlinePlus, vision and hearing are typically most affected by age-related problems. For example, the pupils of adults in their 60s shrink to about a third of the size of their pupils in their 20s. Hearing loss, a condition associated with dementia, can also become more prominent as people age.

Mobility Issues

According to KFF Health News, nearly 19 million, or one-third of adults 65 and older, have a disability. Disabilities can significantly impact a senior's ability to:

• See
• Hear
• Walk
• Think
• Memorize
• Perform activities of daily living (ADLs)

Mobility issues in older adults can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty walking or moving around
• Experiencing near-falls or frequent falls
• Having an unsteady gait
• Trouble getting up from a seated position
• Avoiding activities that involve movement

When to Seek Support for Declining Health in Seniors

It's time to seek support if you or your older loved one exhibits one or more of the above signs of declining health and:

• Managing chronic conditions on your own has become more challenging
• You or your elderly loved one lives alone
• You or your older family member wants to prevent further health deterioration

In that case, consider transitioning to LakeHouse Menomonee assisted living in Menomonee Falls, WI. You or your older loved one can enjoy the following benefits in our community.

Highly Tailored Personal Care and Support

At LakeHouse Menomonee, our highly experienced and compassionate staff deliver personalized assistance for ADLs, such as:

• Bathing
• Medication management
• Continence care

Our supportive services help our residents (and their families) rest easy, knowing they have access to the help they need to thrive and manage their conditions.

Robust Calendar of Senior Activities and Events

Our assisted living community helps residents feel less isolated and more fulfilled with our numerous recreational, physical, and social events and activities. Just some of the things we do here for fun are:

• Daily exercise classes
• Art classes
• Card and board games
• Baking and cooking sessions
• Happy hours, complete with live entertainment
• Bingo
• Book club
• Church services
• Ice cream socials

Many On-Site Amenities

Our cozy, lake-side senior living community offers a host of on-site amenities that make our residents' lives more enjoyable and convenient, such as:

• Various options for apartment homes (suites, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units)
• Senior homes equipped with kitchenettes, heating and air conditioning systems, and generous closet space
• Stunning gardens
• Library
• Hair salon
• Weekly housekeeping service
• Apartment maintenance

Don't Let Declining Health Get in the Way

From memory problems to self-neglect, appetite changes, and mobility issues, all these are signs of declining health that seniors and their family members should never ignore. The sooner they get addressed, the better outcomes for older adults, and the more they can enjoy their golden years.

So, if you or your older loved one is ready to seek extra care and support, consider exploring LakeHouse Menomonee, our beautiful, charming, and caring assisted living community in Menomonee Falls, IN. We look forward to welcoming you and providing you with the care and support you need to achieve optimal senior wellness.

Speak with our friendly team today to schedule your visit to our wonderful community!