Are your parents suffering from a chronic condition? Chronic diseases may affect us at any age, but the possibility of developing a chronic illness increases as one grows older. This long-term condition does not get cured completely, leading to multiple health complications like disability and impairment. It is a good idea to enroll your aging parents in an acclaimed care home in Horsham, and provide swift medical assistance. While a number of chronic conditions, like stroke and heart attack, could be life threatening; others like diabetes can persist and intensify over time.
List of Common Chronic Conditions in the Elderly
It is important to get in touch with your physician to estimate the risk of possible chronic diseases in your aging parents. People who do not have the time, due to their busy work schedule, can opt to enroll parents suffering from Dementia or Arthritis in a renowned and trusted care home in Horsham like Ashtonleigh Residential Care Home. Such options could prove to be much better than the attention and care you can provide at home. This is because many illnesses can take a heavy toll on the body and the mind.
Here are some of the most common chronic illnesses in the elderly:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Depression
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Osteoporosis
- Adult onset diabetes
- Kidney and bladder problems
- Dementia
- Lung diseases
- Parkinson’s disease
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Enlarged prostate
- Macular degeneration
Preventing Chronic Conditions in the Elderly
The secrets of health do not change as we grow older. What changes is our ability to cope with an unhealthy lifestyle. While we are young, we can compromise on our sleep and eat junk food thrice a week. This is not really recommended, but we do not even feel the impact of such choices. As we get older, we need to take our health more seriously and this is what you would want to convey to your parents. Here is a list of things you can tell your aging parents to prevent the risk of chronic diseases. Make sure to look for care homes in Crawley, West Sussex to enroll your parents suffering from chronic conditions.
- Regular Physical Activity: Although it may not be possible for the elderly to work out and indulge in regular physical activity, you can encourage them to go for short walks in the evenings. Lack of physical activity can result in their muscles and bones getting weaker. This makes them susceptible to chronic diseases. Physical activity can not only increase the chances of your parents living longer, it can significantly improve their mental health.
- Healthy nutrition: A diet that is rich in fiber and other essential vitamins and nutrients is required to prevent a score of chronic illnesses like diabetes. Do not let them overeat and keep a strict check on their weight. It is essential that they burn more calories each day than they consume.
- Monitor tobacco intake: Enough emphasis cannot be made on the ill effects of tobacco intake. As we get older, it becomes more important to abstain from tobacco and even restrict passive smoke. Substance abuse must also be monitored. Unless it’s medicinal, all forms of drugs and anti-depressants must be controlled strictly.
By closely monitoring the lifestyle and habits of your aging parents, you can reduce the chances of them developing chronic conditions. The elderly who are already suffering from low to mild Dementia can be placed in a reputed care homes in Horsham, where they can be given the needed attention and care.
