March is National Kidney Month, so it’s an important time to talk about seniors and kidney illnesses as well as why seniors might be more vulnerable to kidney issues. Some of these risk factors are ones that seniors may not be able to control or change, while others are within their control, especially with help from senior home care providers and family caregivers.
Medications
Seniors often take medications for a variety of health challenges. Some of those medications may be ones they take occasionally and others are ones that they must take consistently, sometimes for a long time. All medications have side effects and can have an impact on areas of the body that help to filter waste, including the kidneys. Staying aware of the impacts of medications is so important for senior well-being.
Age-related Kidney Changes
Kidney function naturally changes with age. This doesn’t mean that all seniors will have kidney problems, but it is very common. As seniors get older, their kidneys may not be as efficient as they were in years past. Healthcare providers can help seniors to stay on top of how well their kidneys are functioning, especially if they also have other health issues that can affect kidney function.
Increased Health Risks
Seniors are more likely to have chronic health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions. These health issues can also affect kidney function, making the kidneys work harder than they should and therefore experiencing damage. Keeping health issues under better control does a lot to reduce kidney damage, and home care providers can help aging adults make changes that support good overall health.
Dehydration
When seniors don’t drink enough fluids and become dehydrated, that affects kidney function. Their kidneys aren’t able to filter waste as well from the body, which eventually can cause damage. This additional stress is easy to avoid when aging adults consciously drink more hydrating fluids on a regular basis. Senior home care providers can help by gamifying hydration and working with seniors to figure out what helps them to drink more fluids.
Kidney Disease Progresses Silently
Unlike with a lot of other health issues, kidney disease often progresses silently, especially in seniors. They may not experience many symptoms until the kidney damage is more severe. If seniors start to notice increased fatigue, trouble concentrating, and swelling in their extremities, they may want to talk with their doctors about how their kidneys are doing. Diagnosing kidney disease early enough ensures that seniors can get treatment more quickly, which improves quality of life and can slow down the progression of the disease.
Kidney health is a crucial part of overall health and wellness. When seniors experience trouble with how well their kidneys function, they’re less likely to be able to have the quality of life they want to have as they age in place. Senior home care providers can help aging adults prioritize their kidney health and get the support they need to stay healthier overall, in every area of their lives.
If you are considering senior home care in Memorial, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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