UTI's in the Elderly Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly Urinary tract infections (UTIs) aren't just a nuisance in the elderly—they can cause serious health problems. A UTI happens when bacteria in the urethra, bladder or kidneys multiplies in the urine. If left untreated, a UTI can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections, which could permanently damage these vital organs and even lead to kidney failure. These common infections are also a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream. Seniors Are Prone to UTIs The population most likely to experience UTIs is the elderly. Older individuals are more vulnerable for many reasons, including their overall susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system. Elderly men and women also experience a weakening of the muscles of the bladder and pelvic floor, which can lead to increased urine retention (incomplete emptying of the bladder) and incontinence. These things all contribute to infection. Typical Symptoms…
Have Great Posture As You Age Having good posture minimizes stress on your back by keeping your muscles and bones in their natural positions as well as making your movements more fluid and efficient. Poor posture, on the other hand, can create a variety of health problems. It can impede breathing, blood circulation, digestion, organ functions and overall alertness. Slouching creates 10 to 15 times extra pressure on the spinal cord. It can generate neck pain, headaches and limited joint movement. Problems may even result in the legs and feet. Here are 8 helpful tips to keep you standing tall at any age. Open up Now that many of us spend our days hunched in front of a computer, “it's very important for us to be able to stretch and open up and improve our range of motion,” says Jonathan F. Bean, MD, MS, MPH, an assistant professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Easy exercises To stay limber, try to get up for a couple minutes every half hour and stretch,…
Hearing Loss in Seniors Hearing loss is a disability that frequently goes unnoticed. It is the most common sensory impairment in adults over the age of 65, affecting more than 30% of Canadians in this age group. Hearing loss is serious: not only does it affect the physical sense of hearing, it affects overall well-being. Because of the communication difficulties it creates, hearing loss can lead to withdrawal from family, friends and social situations.
Foot Care Info Sheet for Seniors Foot Care Info Sheet for Seniors Most people are born with healthy feet. But three out of four people develop serious foot problems as they age – putting their independence and well-being at risk. Healthy feet contribute to your safety and health. How? • Feet that are healthy and pain free help you keep your balance. Good balance can prevent falls, a major cause of injury and hospitalization; some falls result in disability or death. • Healthy feet also allow you to stay active. When your feet are too sore to walk, you loose strength and become at greater risk for falls. Walking is the perfect exercise to keep your weight down, prevent blood clots and keep your bones and muscles strong. • Keeping an eye on your feet can even give you an early warning about serious health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, nerve damage and poor blood circulation.
Tools to Help your Parents to Age in Place Aging in place is a new approach to eldercare. It allows the elderly to remain in their own homes as they age, rather than having to be moved to a nursing home or assisted living facility. To enable aging in place, there are many tools on the market that make it possible for your aging parent to remain independent and self-reliant. The tools assist your parent by making up for deficiencies they may have. Hearing Tools Most aging parents suffer from some kind of hearing loss, whether it is minor or profound. To enable them to age in place and adapt to challenges with hearing, there is everything from a vibrating watch that reminds them when to take medications to hearing devices that amplify sound to visual and vibrating alerts for the telephone and fire alarm. Vision Tools Even if your parent does not suffer from a disabling condition like macular degeneration, deteriorating eye sight is another struggle most seniors experience that can cause them to lose some of their independence. When…
Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is the weakening of bones and occurs in one quarter of all women, and one eighth of all men. Although the rate of osteoporosis is much higher among women, it is certainly not just a woman’s illness. Increasing numbers of men are affected by osteoporosis. Sadly, it is often a fractured bone that alerts someone to the fact that they have osteoporosis. Low trauma fractures—fractures that occur from a standing height or less—are sometimes the only warning sign evident to someone about their bone health. Fractures can cause dire consequences, especially in seniors. One year after a hip fracture, 80% of patients cannot perform at least one activity of daily living, 40% cannot walk independently, 30% are permanently disabled, and 20% have died. While a hip fracture does not cause death directly, it can be the result of underlying frailty, and it is usually other health factors which lead to death. Sustaining good bone health is an important way to prevent a low trauma fracture.…
