How to Keep Your Elders Healthy and Safe in Their Old Age

The elderly experience several changes as they age and are required to alter their lifestyles to maintain their health. Some things seniors are required to observe include dental checkups, dietary changes, physicals, and medication. Below is a list of ways to keep seniors healthy and safe in their old age.

Dental Care for Seniors

Advancing age subjects most seniors to risks of various oral health problems such as severe gum disease, cavities, and various tooth loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, age is not a dominant factor in determining oral health. Certain conditions, including arthritis in the fingers and hands, make flossing or brushing teeth challenging to perform. Schedule a dental exam to allow a dentist to conduct a thorough assessment and history, including signs of irritation for those wearing dentures or other appliances. Seniors who cannot afford regular dental care should apply for a dental society-sponsored assistance program and consult with the local dental society regarding the low-cost care locations and nearest assistance programs.

Enhance Senior’s Mental Health

Cognitive decline, memory problems, and a growing loneliness epidemic make the elderly vulnerable to mental health conditions. Common mental health concerns associated with old age include severe cognitive impairment, anxiety, and mood disorders such as bipolar depression and depression. At least 55% of assisted living communities offer counseling and mental health services.

Getting Physical

From yoga classes to regular walks and ballroom exercise, physical activity and exercise benefit the body and the mind by reducing the risk of falls, boosting confidence, and keeping blood flowing to the brain. Getting enough exercise and staying active is essential for seniors’ mental health and reduces the risk of age-related problems like dementia, joint pain, fractures, and other chronic illnesses. Regular exercise also helps manage anxiety, stress, and depression in the elderly, which are detrimental to seniors’ health such as injuries and physical ailments.

Encourage Them to Pick Up a New Hobby

It is vital to stay active after retirement; each person has a wish list of activities they may wish to pursue but cannot do because of their busy life. The retirement period is often the perfect time for seniors to pursue lifelong goals, including sewing, painting, and gardening. Hobbies increase the brain’s neuroplasticity, allowing nerve cells to connect or reconnect, which changes the brain’s function and structure. Strengthening neural connections through new connections helps seniors gain an increased sense of belonging, improving their mental health.

Staying active after retirement isn’t just about maintaining physical fitness; it’s also about fostering mental health and community connections. For many, the idea of managing all these aspects can be overwhelming, particularly for those with health challenges. That’s where resources like assisted living in Glen Carbon come into the picture. This type of living arrangement supports the active lifestyle of retirees while ensuring they have access to necessary health services and a like-minded community.

Prevent the Elderly From Financial Exploitation

There are more than 369,000 financial abuse incidents targeting senior citizens each year, causing an estimated $4.8 billion in losses, according to federal and state data by the cybersecurity research company Comparitech. Elderly financial exploitation is the misuse or theft of a senior citizen’s money by someone they know, which is often under-reported. Experts say that abuse cases can be prevented before they start by following the listed steps to protect a vulnerable loved one from exploitation.

Sign Up for a Service That Tracks Your Payments

Tech tools, including LifeLock and EverSafe, help detect suspicious activities like unusual withdrawals, missing deposits, and abrupt changes in spending patterns and notify a trusted advocate and the account owner. Such services provide front-line protection in detecting fraud, scams, and identity theft and offer support in recouping losses.

Hire Someone You Trust As Your Financial Power of Attorney

Choose the right individual so you can make financial decisions to manage your money when you become incapacitated. The federal government Eldercare Locator assists seniors in finding low-cost or free assistance. You can hire an agent to handle all your financial matters, including filing taxes and managing property. MetLife Mature Market Institute in 2009 indicated that the financial loss suffered by the elderly stood at $2.6 billion. It included exploitation of powers of attorney, which has necessitated the development of comprehensive statistics to track the power of attorney.

Caregivers taking care of the elderly must be mentally and physically healthy to care for anyone else. Individuals taking care of seniors have high chances of developing anxiety, higher rates of stress, and depression. Taking breaks from that and getting away to enjoy life is also essential, which is an excellent way to recognize your own needs as you attend to those of the elderly.