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The Realities of Ageing; Top 7 Common, Complex Concerns

#elderlyhealth #immunesystem #frail #infection #familycaregivers #old hearts #pneumonia #skininfection #loneliness

Senior September continues with a look at some not too pleasant but everyday topics which may seem inevitable.

Ageing is : fun, a time of renewal, an opportunity to mentor, to make new friends, live life!

And yes, reality check!

It IS a time when things are what they are🤷🏽‍♀️

Join me as I discuss 7 of the most common complaints of older persons (Keeping it real , but don't despair!)

1/ Osteoarthritis -😟, back, neck , shoulder, knees- they all seem to work only when they want to and yes , they can predict the weather!

2/ Heart disease❣️- older arteries are stiffer, prone to blockage; in addition other chronic conditions may be present which increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes

3/"The Big "C"- Cancer- colon, breast, prostate, can affect older persons to a slightly higher degree as the health of cells, small mutations, and slowing of the normal healing processes make this concern valid (and scary)

4/ Memory loss/dementia/Alzheimer's disease- imagine how frustrating it can be for an older person to feel as though they are no longer themselves, and cannot /do not communicate their feelings, making things worse, delaying help

5/ Frailty- studies show that this is on the rise not only because we have a globally ageing population, but because there is still fallout from the inactivity resulting from global mandatory "stay at home" orders (for safety reasons), has led to some older persons weaker and thus more unwilling to move around.

6/ Reduced hearing, vision, loss of teeth and gum disease all compound these factors- reducing the quality of life.

7/ LONELINESS- general isolation has skyrocketed over the past few years and older persons , especially those who can no longer get around as they used to (or their peers for that matter)

Problems problems problems.......................

What CAN be done?

Focus on the 5 "F"s:

1/ Fun 2/ Friendship and Family 3/ Focus (mindset) 4/ Fitness (start low and go slow) and 5/ Fluids (hydrate! - it does help , in everyway!

You Got This!!!💘🎯We Got This!🎯💘🫱🏽‍🫲🏾!

From my heart to yours💗

Dr. Lana

..........................................................

Overwhelmed? Let's connect: 📧lana@lanaannemd.com

For more insights and connect for a FREE face-to-Face 15 minute Zoom call, and a place where we can connect as physicians on my website:

lanaslittlethings.com

If you're a Family Caregiver at your wit's end, needing a different perspective, set up your free 15-minute coaching call-also by email -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on lanaslittlethings.com.

I always look forward to meeting Fellow Family Caregivers- we gotta stick together!💯

- YouTube

Lana's Little Things

#elderlyhealth #immunesystem #immuneresponse #infection #familycaregivers #uti #pneumonia #skininfection

Sick again!🧓🏽😱

Especially if you are a Family Caregiver of an older person, you know you know this only too well:

Mum, dad (both!) , your spouse, relative, just got over one infection, and now have another?

Feel as if you "can't catch a break?"😩

Why are older persons (and usually over 70/75/80) so prone to infections?

THE MAIN 3: 1/Pneumonia 2/Bladder Infection (UTI) and 3/ Skin Infections

If you're seeking clarity (and a little peace of mind to be frank); join me as I discuss

🧓🏽3 reasons

🧓🏽3 ways to detect early signs and

🧓🏽3 means of either mitigating the severity by early intervention

3 reasons :

1/🧓🏽Seniors are more prone to infections as ageing renders the immune system somewhat sluggish

2/🧓🏽the usual fighter cells less efficient and

3/🧓🏽🛌🏽 immobility also increases the risk of the main infections.

This means that in general , infections in a younger person which may pass without incident, in older persons, may progress quickly to serious illness even requiring urgent medical attention and possibly hospitalisation, further adding to infection risk.

🧓🏽3 ways to detect early signs:

As mentioned above, common signs and symptoms of infection in the elderly may not be straightforward such as the easily recognisable chills, fever, aches and pains.

So, HOW can you know? Be keenly observant for :

1/🧓🏽loss of appetite (food and drink or one more than the other)

2/🧓🏽withdrawal- not as communicative , more tired, and

3/🧓🏽confusion- in recognising people, places and things, or speech not making sense as it did before.

!!Clearly, we need CLARITY!!!🧐

🧓🏽3 means of either mitigating the severity by early intervention:

1/ Good hygiene as a staple-- handwashing, sanitising and so on; make it a habit to do a quick scan from scalp to toenails daily especially if the person is confined to bed or has underlying conditions such as diabetes (where daily feet inspection is CRUCIAL)

2/ Especially if there is a rotating family unit, ensure that you have a system of handover to inform for signs to monitor any changes .

3/ Checks also include recognising the normal scents and sounds of breathing , cough, urine, and stool

You Got This!!!💘🎯

From my heart to yours always💗