Seniors Avoiding Hospitalization
"My parents wellbeing is one of my deepest concerns as they age." stated a 50 year old son. If you have aging parents, I am sure that you can relate to this statement.
Fall prevention is one well-known and much-discussed way to help seniors avoid injury, which in turn keeps them out of the hospital. But what other issues may send a senior to the emergency room? Let’s look at a few lesser-known risk factors for senior hospitalization and how to mitigate them.
Beyond the fall: 4 Important things to know to reduce the risk of senior hospitalizations
1. Risk Factor: Failing to Follow Doctors’ Orders
Seniors who don’t follow their doctor's orders may be at a higher risk for emergency hospitalization according to a survey of 400 North American nurses who specialize in senior care. In fact, this new research showed that nearly half (48.5%) of these hospitalizations could be avoided if the proper preventative steps are taken. As people age, they may have trouble understanding and following a healthcare provider’s instructions such as when to take a particular medication.
One remedy: To have a family member attend all doctor appointments and help your senior adhere to a written medication schedule.
2. Risk Factor: Ignoring Common Symptoms
As we age, our aches and pains may seem to multiply—perhaps due to chronic health conditions. Most of the time, these little symptoms don’t indicate anything serious. But when a senior makes a comment about “feeling ill,” don’t dismiss it as unimportant. Too often, seniors who feel ill one day can wind up hospitalized the next.
One remedy: Help your loved one discover which health issues could be putting him or her at risk of hospitalization.
3. Risk Factor: Lack of Physical and Mental Activity
From physical ailments like arthritis to emotional episodes like the loss of a spouse, many factors can turn a senior into a couch potato. Unfortunately, this may trigger a cascade of effects. Muscle weakness due to disuse can cause poor balance and result in a fall. Depression can lead to cognitive decline and overall poor quality of life.
One remedy: Do activities with your loved one. Whether it’s putting together a jigsaw puzzle, going for a walk, playing cards or board games even watching a movie, your senior family member will enjoy both your companionship and the stimulation these activities provide. Stumped for ideas about what to do together? Think back to activities you did when you were a child.
4. Risk Factor: Poor Diet
“We know that we really are what we eat,” said Elisabetta Politi, dietician director at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. But each senior's diet plan is individual, she noted. “If Dad has reached age 75 and has not developed heart disease or cancer, you need not recommend any different food intervention than what he is already doing.
Dad has found a meal plan that works.”
Appetites may decline in older age for a variety of reasons. Medications can cause foods to taste funny. Dentures may make chewing painful. The cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia may cause confusion about how to cook—or even how to eat. Whatever the cause, malnutrition can land a senior in the hospital.
Many doctors recommend Ensure® which is an adult therapeutic nutritional drink that is a source of complete, balanced nutrition, or other brands to help supplement the health needs that are lacking in the elderly.
However, many of these drinks contain massive amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Of course, since we do not know any better, we listen to the doctors, because that is what they know. Fortunately, there are simple ways to give your body what it needs without the added sugar and tastes great too.
Every body needs protein to build and repair. Protein shakes are a easy way to do this. If you are unsure what is available to you, read about a a high-quality, sugar free shake mix, so you can be informed on what is available.
One remedy: To keep their daily menus interesting, and healthy, seniors will want to mix up their food choices—particularly within each food group—every day. Research shows that change is best done gradually.
Bonus Risk Factor #5: Unsafe Home Environment
You probably already know that falling is a top reason seniors wind up in the emergency room. As
we age, our bones tend to become porous and prone to fracture. One “little” trip over a throw rug or extension cord can cause a fall that leads to a broken shoulder, hip or pelvis. Fall prevention tactics are a crucial weapon in the fight against senior hospitalizations.
One remedy: Perform a home safety inspection with your senior loved one. Use the checklist at MakingHomeSaferforSeniors.com as a starting point.
Hospitalization isn’t fun under any circumstances, but you can help keeping your ederly loved ones safe at home by using the tips outlined above. For even more information and additional resources on how to avoid senior hospitalizations, be sure to download the safety checklist and contact your Integrated Insurance Agency Associate. For the Integrated Associate near you call 888-823-1342 or go to our web page to find an Integrated Agency associate.
You can live out your years feeling the best you can.
