Some seniors may suffer from dysphagia, the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia is managed by serving the older adult thickened liquids, which prevent choking and stop the fluids from entering the airway. Here’s how to thicken liquids for aging care recipients. What is dysphagia? Swallowing requires that the muscles and nerves work together to push food down into the…
One in four individuals aged 60 and over lives alone in the US—this amounts to 16.7 million seniors. When emergencies arise or they need help, these older adults don’t have family to turn to. They can, however, rely on the following resources and solutions for support. Key Takeaways: Many seniors in the US live alone, especially older women and those…
Seizures in the elderly are known as geriatric epilepsy. It’s a common condition of the nervous system in older people. Late-onset epilepsy decreases the quality of life of affected seniors. Uncovering the causes of first-time seizures in aging adults can help protect their well-being. What is a seizure? A seizure occurs when the brain produces an uncontrollable burst of electrical…
Sudden confusion is a serious condition that demands immediate medical care. Also known as delirium, sudden confusion causes changes in an older adult’s behavior and alertness. A number of causes can be responsible for triggering this condition in the elderly. How is sudden confusion defined? A senior can become disoriented and unaware of the time of day, their location or…
Older adults suffering from any of several medical conditions may develop hallucinations. Seniors who are plagued by hallucinations are unlikely to report their experiences. Nevertheless, it is important for caregivers to understand what causes aging people to experience hallucinations at night. An accurate, complete definition of hallucinations is difficult to pin down. In general, a broad definition may be the…
When an elderly parent’s health declines, adult children naturally want to step in and help. But it’s unsurprising when the senior refuses to take the advice of their adult child. A parent who needs but refuses help can be supported in a range of ways, including the nine that follow. What are common age-related issues? Aging comes with significant challenges,…
As people age, their eating habits may change over time. Some may be on a restricted diet due to a condition such as diabetes or hypertension, or they may have difficulty preparing fresh meals. Even if eating habits change, the one thing that never changes is the importance of eating healthy food. Eating healthy food helps people stay younger longer…
