Elderly people have more health problems than those who are young. The risk of developing various health problems increases significantly as a person ages.
A senior citizen might struggle with a chronic condition or cognitive decline. Mobility issues are common as are other medical concerns. Older adults must effectively manage their health issues to remain independent and have a high quality of life. How can they do so?
Comprehensive Preventive Care
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” While he was talking about fire prevention rather than a person’s health, this statement is still accurate when managing health problems among the elderly.
Comprehensive preventative care goes a long way to keeping health problems at bay. Regular checkups allow problems to be caught early, so healthcare providers can intervene before they worsen.
During these checkups, doctors might recommend screenings for common health conditions. Immunizations and other proactive measures, such as suggestions for lifestyle changes, might be part of these visits. They can also refer patients to specialists, such as cataract surgeons near me.
Medication Management
Senior citizens must know which medications to take and when. They often take multiple prescriptions, with some medicines being taken once daily and others several times. Adverse drug interactions are always a concern as are side effects.
Healthcare providers should ask seniors at every visit what medications they are taking to ensure the dosages are correct and the drugs won’t interact.
When doing so, they should ask about supplements and other products the senior might purchase over-the-counter which could also lead to interactions.
However, medical professionals aren’t the only ones who should ask these questions. Pharmacists ought to ask similar questions of senior citizens when they pick up prescriptions.
Chronic Disease Management
Elderly individuals often develop chronic conditions. They might be dealing with heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or numerous other things.
These men and women need to know how to self-manage the disease. Doing so involves adhering to the treatment plan, following the recommended diet, exercising, and monitoring symptoms. Patients who actively manage their health tend to have better outcomes.
Medical professionals might also direct patients to resources such as support groups to help them effectively care for themselves.
Caregiver Support
Caregivers need support as much as those they care for do. This job can be stressful, and caregiver burnout remains a significant concern. Medical professionals should direct these individuals to support systems and training to make their jobs easier.
They will have access to resources, respite care, emotional support, and more. Caregivers and healthcare providers need to work together to coordinate care for the seniors.
Integrated, Interdisciplinary Care
Seniors benefit greatly from an integrated, interdisciplinary care approach, as this approach helps address their complex health needs. Providers must come together to communicate and coordinate care. The focus should be holistic rather than symptom management for the best outcomes.
Technology-Enabled Solutions
Technology can be of great help in managing elderly health. Telehealth took off during the pandemic and many seniors continue to use these services today for remote monitoring and virtual visits.
Medication management apps let them know when they need to take their prescriptions and wearable devices let them monitor health metrics. Integrating technology into a care plan benefits seniors in many ways.
A multifaceted approach is needed to manage health problems in senior citizens. With the right tools, such as those outlined above, healthcare providers and communities can help older adults maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. This helps the individual while reducing the broader societal and economic burden of elder healthcare.
