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.
Declining health in seniors can manifest in many different ways, including:
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.
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:
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:
Some examples of behavioral and personality changes that warrant attention are:
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:
Appetite and weight changes can signal declining health in older adults because they can indicate:
Aging can reduce or impair the ability of all senses, including:
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.
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:
Mobility issues in older adults can cause one or more of the following symptoms:
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:
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.
At LakeHouse Menomonee, our highly experienced and compassionate staff deliver personalized assistance for ADLs, such as:
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.
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:
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:
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!