How to promote health of elderly people in home

HEALTH OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

Health of elderly people is very important. We as their helping hand should try to improve their life in a smooth way, maintaining their independence that they won’t feel themselves a burden to us. Planned diet, regular checkup, exercise and family time are very important for them. Here some health risks in elderly people.

HEALTH RISKS IN ELDERLY PEOPLE

1. Over nutrition: over nutrition in elderly people may lead to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases etc.
2. Under nutrition: in under nutrition physical condition may lead to Nutritional Deficiency Diseases.
3. Physical inactivity: it is a common condition in elderly people resulting obesity, weak joints & muscles, functional decline etc.
4. Smoking: smoking from young age to elderly may results in COPD, heart diseases, stroke, peripheral vascular disease.
5. Drinking: alcohol use results in disease of heart, liver, stomach, pancreas, accidents, social isolation etc.
6. Poly pharmacy: use of medicines without doctors advice may lead to adverse drug effect may lead CKD, poison etc.

HEALTH TRICKS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH DIET

Diet is the most important part of elderly people’s life. Some points must have to keep in mind while planning diet for the elderly person.

1. Always select soft, palatable and easily digestible food.
2. Food must have a good taste and easy to prepare.
3. Food items that are selected for them should be culturally acceptable and locally available.
4. Diet should be traditional that elderly people don’t have any issue to have.

Balanced diet for the elderly:

1. Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, roots, fruits, vegetables, beans in large amounts.
2. Simple carbohydrates i.e. sugar and derivatives to be reduced or avoided.
3. Diet must rich in calcium and vitamin D such as milk, curd, small fish and certain vegetables.
4. Plenty of water and fluids such as fresh juice, lemon water to be added time to time.
5. Additional supplementation of vitamins and micronutrients if doctor provided to them after checking the all side effects.
6. Vegetarian diet is as good as non-vegetarian diet, if adequate and various types of protein are consumed.

PHYSICAL EXERCISES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

Sedentary lifestyle can accelerate the chances of chronic diseases in elderly people. To promote elderly people’s health plan daily exercise for them. Some key points are;

1. 3 to 5 days per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session: regular exercise is not necessary for the elderly people. On the basis of their needs the exercise schedule should be planned. Session should be planned according to their capability diet and balance.
2. Choosing of exercises that are: enjoyable, easy to perform, convenient, and inexpensive.
3. Best exercises for elderly people are: Brisk walking and stretching exercises. Sitting exercises like stretching of hands, wrist, ankles, shoulders etc.

Benefits of physical exercise in elderly people:

1. Weight reduction.
2. Protection against cardiovascular disease.
3. Control of high blood sugar in diabetes.
4. Protection against osteoporosis and fracture.
5. Improvement of muscle strength, balance and functional capacity.
6. Improvement in psychological well-being, better sleep and bowel habits.

Risk of exercise in elderly people:

Evaluation is very important after exercise as well counseling before initiating the exercise program. Some risk factors are;

1. Chances of fall.
2. Potential of accidents.
3. Injury to musculoskeletal system.
4. Bone or joint trauma.
5. Inflammation of the tendon fibers.

 Falls and burns are most common accidents in elderly people. When we care for elderly people we must have an eye on their safety.  

Common causes of accidents are;

1. Decline in body balance.
2. Decrease in vision, hearing, smell, pain, touch, temperature.
3. Defective stance & gait.
4. Poor muscle strength & co-ordination.
5. Emotional stress.
6. Use of multiple medications etc.

Prevention of accidents in elderly people:

1. Always use walking aids to elderly people.
2. Removal of all obstacles around them.
3. Always use flat and comfortable shoes.
4. Ensure adequate lighting under the room.
5. Stable the structures or furniture to hold on and walk.
6. Ensure proper flooring for walking, make sure that they are not slippery.
7. Confirm regular exercise to strengthen gait and power.

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Adverse drug reaction in elderly people:

Adverse drug reaction may appear due to self prescription, multiple drug, slow digestion, allergic to substances, poor nutrition or less appetite etc. To get rid of ADR, some interventions you may apply;

1. Avoid and stop self-medication in any purpose or any emergency.
2. Limit the use of over-the-counter drug.
3. Minimize the number of drugs used.
4. Use specific drug for specific illness to reduce the quantity of drugs used.
5. Always have a look for the major side effects of any drugs consumed.
6. Ensure frequent review of medicines that used.
7. Be aware of possible side effects and observe for sign and symptoms after giving the medicines to them.
8. Always up-to-date for regular health checkup, vitals and immunization.