Health Care For the Elderly - What Your Need to Know

For the elderly person, health care concerns can be many. One of the major health issues is high blood pressure. While doctors recommend exercising, losing weight and changing the diet, those things are not always easy for an elderly person to do. Usually, the doctor will need to prescribe medications to reduce high blood pressure. So far, only one pill, not too bad.

Another health issue is chronic pain such as arthritis. Many older people start the day aching and find it quite painful just getting out of bed in the morning. No one likes to suffer from chronic pain every day, so the doctor gives another pill, this time a painkiller. Unfortunately, the painkillers don’t work all the time, so depression can result. Another reason for a pill.

So far, our elderly person needs to take three pills a day for their health care. Then, it’s not so easy to sleep, so she needs a sleeping pill. She seems awfully tired most of the time and tests show anemia. Another pill. Since different doctors are treating different health problems, they don’t always know how many medications the patient might be taking.

Before we know it, the elderly in our care are taking a major number of drugs costing way too much money. Add to that the fact that they are lonely and don’t eat properly and you have a recipe for disaster. Scenarios like this are costing the health care system needless money and our seniors needless suffering.

Many places are trying to change all of that. For instance, Florida has set up care coordinators to be paired up with the elderly and oversee their health care. From talking to the different doctors involved and making sure everyone has the right information, to visiting the senior in her home and noting any adjustments that need to be made for healthier living. If the elderly person isn’t eating properly, arrangements are made with agencies such as Meals on Wheels, to bring nutritious food and make sure it’s eaten. If it’s noted that she falls often, arrangements can be made to install aids such as bathtub rails.

Should it be determined that the elderly person is no longer able to care for themselves, there are a number of alternatives, from complete nursing care homes to day care situations. By caring for the health of our elderly, we are paving the way for the future,when we will be those elderly who need care and compassion.