Aging is a natural part of life, and seniors could experience some gradual age-related changes during this process. These changes may occur at different times for different seniors, depending on their lifestyle choices and family histories.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Green Valley, AZ, Embrace In-Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Here are some of the normal age-related changes that may affect your aging loved one.
1. Height Decrease
By the time your senior loved one turns 80, his or her height may decrease by a couple of inches. This is a normal change that could enhance your loved one’s health. By losing a few inches of height, your loved one could stave off a number of joint, muscle, and spinal issues. The normal changes in posture might allow your elderly loved one to move around easily.
2. Hearing Loss
Seniors may experience age-related hearing loss gradually as they grow older, especially after reaching the age of 65. If your aging loved one experiences age-related hearing loss, he or she may still be able to hear you and others. In contrast, noise-induced hearing loss is caused by exposure to loud sounds, and it can damage the sensory cells that help your loved one hear.
3. Impaired Vision
As your loved one ages, his or her quality of vision could diminish naturally. The eyes typically experience a decrease in performance once a person reaches the age of 60. Presbyopia, a common eye condition in seniors, occurs due to the hardening of the lens inside the eye. Unlike cataracts, this presbyopia does not require surgery. It may be challenging for your loved one to focus on objects up close, but he or she will still be able to see.
Caring for a loved one with impaired vision can be challenging for family members. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Green Valley, AZ, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Embrace In-Home Care. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
4. Reduced Sleep
Some seniors may not sleep as long or as deeply as they did in their youth. The changes in sleep and circadian rhythm are due to age. It is normal for seniors to wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning, and it is not a big issue as long as they get an adequate amount of rest. To prevent disrupting your loved one’s sleeping pattern, try limiting activities prior to bedtime and make sure he or she avoids eating heavy meals at night.
5. Skin Changes
Your loved one’s skin might become less elastic as he or she ages. This is due to the oil glands producing less oil, which makes skin drier. Your loved one’s fingernail growth could also slow down. These are normal changes the body experiences. Your senior loved one can protect his or her skin by using moisturizers and sunscreen and by wearing protective clothing and accessories, including light jackets, hats, and sunglasses.
While some health conditions are normal and relatively harmless, other age-related conditions such as dementia may require professional care. For dementia care Green Valley, AZ, families can count on, reach out to Embrace In-Home Care. Our compassionate caregivers use revolutionary memory care programs to help seniors stave off the progression of dementia, and they can also assist with a wide variety of important everyday tasks, including bathing, grooming, exercise, and cooking. To learn about our revolutionary care programs or to create a customized care plan for your aging loved one, call us at (520) 625-2050 today.