Eighty percent of Americans over the age of 65 have one chronic health condition. Seventy-seven percent have two or more. There are four key chronic health conditions out there, and all of them combined account for 66 percent of the yearly death toll.
If your parent has a chronic condition, it affects his or her ability to handle instrumental and basic activities of daily living. It also affects you because you likely have to drive your parent to appointments, help with household management, and deal with the stress of your parent’s health.
To help yourself, you should learn as much as possible about the chronic condition/s impacting your parent’s life. Find out how senior care services can ease your stress and make sure your parent is able at age at home. Here are the ways senior care helps.
Things to Know About Cancer
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 6 out of 10 cancer patients are 65 or older. There are several kinds of cancer. Those that commonly affect seniors are breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer.
Treatments for cancer depend on how advanced the cancer is and where it is located. Your parent will need rides to follow-up appointments, help with housework, and assistance with meal preparation. Medication reminders, help with personal care, and laundry are other services many cancer patients require.
Things to Know About Diabetes
The number of men and women being diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes is increasing. If your parent is diagnosed as having diabetes, diet, exercise, and prescription medications are commonly required to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Hire caregivers to prepare low-fat and low-sugar meals for your parent. Your mom or dad may want someone to walk with them and remind them when it’s time to check sugar levels or take medications.
Things to Know About Heart Disease
Heart disease ranges from arrhythmias to congestive heart failure. No matter what your mom or dad is diagnosed as having, there will be medications to take, appointments to keep, and a new diet to follow. It’s important that your parent have senior care services to help them with the new daily regimen that’s required.
Things to Know About Strokes
After any stroke, your parent will have medications to take and therapy sessions to keep. If a stroke is severe, your parent may not be able to talk or walk and will need help with bathing, toileting, personal care, and mobility.
Don’t wait until home care services are urgently needed. Talk to a senior care agency as soon as you know about your parent’s changing health. It’s a good idea to at least ask about services and pricing in your area. This gives you time to make a smart decision that you’re not rushing to make. Call now.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/
https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/older-adults/aging-and-cancer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9883401
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in River Oaks, TX, 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.
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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