Managing chronic conditions in seniors is a tricky process. They often have multiple medications to take and physical, speech, or occupational therapy that they must do. It can be a little overwhelming, especially when caring for your own family. This blog discusses ways of reducing chronic disease in seniors that you can incorporate today.
At Calder Woods senior living community, we welcome seniors who need extra care and attention to care for chronic conditions. We will discuss your current medical needs to develop a comprehensive care program that includes medication management, assistance with daily living needs, and therapeutic care. We also have an exciting social calendar with daily activities, weekly outings, movie nights, and holiday parties.
Call 409.407.7636 today to speak with our dedicated team and learn more about our senior living care options.
What Are Chronic Conditions?
Chronic conditions are when a person has one or more medical issues that last for more than one year. These are any health conditions that require ongoing medical care from a doctor or care team. In senior adults, reports show that over 80% have at least one chronic condition, and 68% have two or more.1
Examples of chronic conditions in seniors over 65 include:
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Coronary heart disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Heart failure
If seniors don’t get the proper care, it can lead to frailty and disabilities. It will limit their ability to care for themselves, and it can significantly increase the risk of death. Fortunately, assisted living programs that specialize in managing chronic conditions in seniors are available.
At Calder Woods, our tailored programs focus on reducing chronic disease in seniors. Our care programs include medication management along with physical, speech, or occupational therapies, assistance with daily living needs, housekeeping and laundry, and other personal services and medical care.
Managing Chronic Conditions in Seniors
Reducing symptoms of chronic illnesses is something assisted living programs focus on. They will create a program that can ease symptoms and may restore any lost functions or abilities. Here are some tips for managing chronic conditions in seniors:
Managing Medications
One way in which older adults can manage chronic conditions is through prescription medications. Reports show that nearly 90% of senior adults take at least one prescription medication, 80% take at least two prescriptions, and 36% regularly take five or more prescription medications.2
In an assisted living program, medical staff will administer medications on time and in the correct dosage. They can also check for potential drug interactions with any new medications that are prescribed.
Schedule Regular Checkups
You can help manage their chronic condition by having a copy of any doctor appointments, therapy appointments, or other necessary appointments. That way, they don’t miss any appointments, and you can be there with them to ask about their condition or any other questions you may have.
Eating Healthy Meals
You can ease symptoms of chronic conditions by eating a healthy diet that includes leafy greens, vegetables, fresh fruits, lean meats, and healthy fats. Switching to a healthier diet can potentially reduce the need for certain medications and ease any weight-related problems. Here are some of the foods that can reduce chronic symptoms:
- Berries
- Fatty fish
- Broccoli
- Avocados
- Green tea
- Tumeric
- Dark chocolate
In an assisted living facility, they will have access to healthy meals and snacks prepared by a professional culinary team throughout the day.
Improve Overall Health and Well-Being
One of the best ways to help seniors with chronic conditions is to enroll them in an assisted living program. These programs consider all illnesses and develop a comprehensive plan to improve their overall health and well-being. They provide quality medical and therapeutic care and social activities and events, like book clubs, arts and crafts, board games, movie nights, and many other social opportunities.
Visit Calder Woods Today to Discuss Our Senior Living Care Options
Calder Woods is a full-service senior living community that supports Texas seniors with chronic conditions who can benefit from our assisted living or memory care programs. We tailor each program to the residents’ current medical conditions and will include medication management, assistance with daily living needs, and nutritious meals that consider any dietary or medical restrictions.
To learn how we manage chronic conditions in seniors, fill out our online form or call 409.407.7636 today to speak with our team.
Sources