How to take care of the health of elderly relatives

1. Reduce to preventive examinations

Age-related changes common to all people are disorders in the work of the musculoskeletal system and the respiratory system, as well as problems with the heart and blood vessels. This means that periodically it makes sense to visit an orthopedist with a neurologist, pulmonologist and cardiologist. It is better to start with a therapist: he will listen to breathing, measure the pulse and pressure, and then give recommendations as to which other specialist to contact in case of complaints.

Periodic fluorography or chest x-ray can help prevent tuberculosis. And if you do the Guidelines for lung cancer screening computed tomography once a year, it is easier to detect possible malignant formations in the lungs. For the prevention of atherosclerosis, a blood test for lipoproteins and cholesterol is done. Blood is donated for sugar to prevent diabetes, which can develop due to age-related changes. The result of this analysis must be shown to the endocrinologist.

Perhaps an elderly person does not want to go to the hospital until nothing hurts. But the meaning of prevention is precisely to prevent a disease or detect it before the consequences become irreversible. Explain this to a relative and take him to a doctor if it is difficult for him to walk around the offices on his own.

Examine your home medicine cabinet to see if it has everything you need. If an elderly person forgets to take medication, you can purchase a pill box with separate cells for each day or hang a schedule on the refrigerator.

2. Watch your mental health

Cognitive decline is often more difficult to notice than physical problems. It is difficult to admit that the people on whose judgments we have relied on for so long are beginning to lose their adequacy. And yet it happens.

The World Health Organization notes Dementia: a WHO fact sheet that early diagnosis of dementia significantly improves quality of life, and points to a link between the syndrome and risk factors common to noncommunicable diseases - malnutrition, smoking, alcohol abuse, and physical inactivity.

To prevent dementia, gerontologists advise enriching the diet with fiber Association Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years, connecting strength training Mediation of Cognitive Function Improvements by Strength Gains After Resistance Training in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, working in nature Gardens and health: Implications for policy and practice and generally do not stay idle Dietary and lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, if it seems to you that grandmother's plantings are losing in comparison with store vegetables, and the ratio of labor costs and results is not in favor of the garden, it may be better to keep your mouth shut and help in the country. It's not just cucumbers.

3. Organize proper nutrition

In older people, digestion deteriorates over time. Even if before your grandfather was able to eat a frying pan of fried mushrooms seasoned with adjika and feel great, now spicy, heavy and fatty foods will not do good. In Charming Gut, Julia Anders argues that the digestive system determines the functioning of the entire body and influences mood. This becomes especially noticeable over the years.

For the correct composition of the diet, you need to follow the general recommendations for a balanced diet, focus on easily digestible foods of a soft consistency that will not harm your dentures, and, of course, take into account individual recommendations.

An adult can react sharply to nutritional advice, especially from someone who walked under the table “yesterday”. If once you were enraged by the prohibitions of elders, now you have changed places, so that you can show nobility and tact. For example, instead of "Grandfather, you can't do this, your stomach will hurt!" say, "Look what we have prepared for you." And suggest a delicious but more dietary meal.

4. Buy things that are comfortable

Even if a person does not have severe problems with the musculoskeletal system, the usual things over time are given more and more difficult, and some household items cease to seem comfortable.

Present your elderly relatives with a good weight distribution mattress and anatomical pillow. Sleep worsens with age, while getting enough sleep is very important for your health. Comfortable warm clothes will not be superfluous. Both technological and traditional, made of natural wool - socks, thermal underwear, a cozy cardigan. With age, blood circulation deteriorates, and older people, especially women, are often freezing.

Buy sneakers or light low shoes with a shock-absorbing insole for relatives. Comfortable footwear for the elderly (and everyone who appreciates comfort) is produced, for example, by Scandinavian brands. If you need something more specific, purchase orthopedic shoes, prophylactic or therapeutic (these are bought after consulting an orthopedic doctor). Some retirees are eligible for free orthopedic footwear from the state. Check if your relatives have any such benefits.

On AliExpress or in specialized stores for the elderly, you can find various devices and gadgets designed to make life easier. For example, a stick with forceps for grasping objects - for people who find it difficult to bend down or do not want to get up again. For some, it may turn out to be irreplaceable, but for others it will at least entertain.

5. Help to go to the sanatorium

The recreation center is a medical and preventive institution. They do not treat serious illnesses here, but in the sanatorium you can take a break from everyday affairs, be like health-improving and restorative procedures and have fun. For example, go to a dance, a reading club, or a tour of the area. All this will be useful not only for health, but also for the socialization of an elderly person. Nobody said that in old age you can't make new friends or relationships.

According to the Federal Law "On State Social Assistance" of 17.07.1999 N 178-FZ "On State Social Assistance", in Russia, pensioners with benefits have the right to a free trip to a sanatorium at least once every two years - on the basis of a medical certificate. To do this, you need to apply to the local social security authorities and wait for a referral. It may be difficult for your family members to travel to institutions alone and understand how the electronic queue works, so it's best to help.

As a rule, pensioners are sent to a sanatorium not far from their place of residence or by the sea. In addition, a ticket can be bought, and here the level of services depends only on the budget. Modern sanatoriums are in no way inferior in terms of the level of spa resorts, which a person of any age would not refuse to visit.

6. Protect from greedy people

Dealers in traditional medicine and pseudoscientific "medical" devices, homeopaths and assorted esotericists love to push retirees to unreasonable spending. At best, an elderly person will simply lose money, at worst, he will begin to be treated according to methods not approved by evidence-based medicine and harm himself.

If your elderly relatives have strange authorities or dubious new acquaintances, this most likely speaks of loneliness. Older people are often left in isolation, which contributes to impaired mental function and mental health.

Think about what you can do together - go to the theater, go to nature, just have dinner? It is important that this is not a one-time action; regular joint leisure is needed. New adequate social contacts will also help. For example, you can enroll a relative in a computer literacy class for the elderly.

Do home educational work. For example, tell us why white balls, in which there are no active substance molecules, do not help against diseases.

7. Hire a caregiver if necessary

Sometimes it becomes difficult for an older person to cope with even basic things on his own. At the same time, working children and grandchildren cannot always find time to take care of their relatives. Do not blame yourself: if the job brings in money, which is enough to help family members, you may well delegate the care to a caregiver. Plus, you also have a privacy to which you are entitled. The main thing here is not to forget that the coming assistant is still not able to replace loved ones. But he can take on the routine work.

Find a good professional who will do everything necessary to help an elderly person and have the appropriate qualifications. A home caregiver should help with hygiene and household needs, be able to inject, put IVs, and provide psychological support. It is important that care is based on considerate and correct attitude.

You can find a nurse in specialized health care centers, on sites that offer services for finding domestic staff, or through private advertisements.