According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the primary indicator of whether a person will add nearly 20 years to their life after reaching age 65 is their ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Statistically, it does not matter if there are chronic conditions, diseases, or health concerns. Longevity is based upon the effective management of chronic conditions if they are present, or the prevention of them if they have not yet manifest.
According to Dr. Jeanne Wei, the executive director of the Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the secret lies in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. Dr. Wei says that seniors who cannot accomplish these tasks on their own should get help doing so. From nutritionists and geriatricians to in home care personnel, help is available. The key is to get it sooner instead of later.
By not taking care of their bodies through diet and exercise or getting the help that they need to do so, seniors open themselves up to a host of safety concerns. Among them are: …show more content…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that there are over 2.5 million seniors being treated for falls in emergency rooms annually, with over 700,000 of them resulting in hospitalization. Fall risk increases each year seniors age over 65, and the risk in compounded by problems with eyesight, mobility, dementia, or any disorder that impacts muscles or balance. In other words, falls are a great concern for most American seniors. Regardless of the condition that leads to an increased fall risk, in home care personnel can help keep your loved one safe by conducting a fall risk analysis of the home, helping improve the safety of the residence, and providing the physical and emotional support needed to strengthen muscles, improve balance, and lessen the risk of