For many, becoming a senior means that life begins to slow down a little, especially if you have been able to retire from a career. But even with having more extra time on hand, there can be things that get overlooked. It could be things that you never had to worry about before that now need attention because you are an older adult. Or it might be things that are easily forgotten about in light of other concerns taking precedence.

Are You a Senior? Don’t Overlook These Things

One of the lauded perks of growing older is that you gain wisdom. Regardless of how much you may know, however, there are still aspects of healthy aging that many senior citizens overlook. In this article, we will discuss a few of these aspects and touch on how to better address them in your golden years.

Geriatric Syndromes

There are some issues that affect the health and general quality of life of countless people in their 60s and beyond, especially those who are frailer. They can largely impact your ability to socialize, take care of yourself, and be physically active. Addressing them can be vital to aging in a healthier way. What follows is a list of how to ward off most geriatric syndromes.

• Encourage brain health and emotional well-being

• Encourage physical health

• Look for common senior health problems

• Optimize management of chronic conditions

• Plan for financial, legal, and medical matters in advance

• Seek recommended preventive health services for seniors

Sadly, these problems too often are overlooked not only by senior citizens themselves but also by many health care professionals. Many older adults suffer from these issues for years without someone taking action on their behalf. The biggest problem is that many people assume that there is nothing to be done about them and that they are simply a normal part of aging.

Do not fall into that line of thinking. Correctly evaluating and managing these issues can aid senior citizens and their families to find relief, live better lives, and in some cases even live longer. Healthy aging is not merely about preventing problems; it is also about identifying them and addressing them before they have a chance to get worse. Many of these issues, if left unchecked, can negatively affect the rest of your health and independence.

Be proactive in sorting out these problems that are often neglected. Remember that it is far too common for these issues not to receive the proper level of treatment, so be adamant about seeking caretakers and medical professionals who will listen to your concerns and address them properly.

Common Issues Regarding Seniors

Here are several problems to be on the lookout for and how to address them to encourage healthier aging.

Falling

One of the most common problems that many older adults experience is falling. While some falls may cause only superficial injuries, they can be incredibly frightening ordeals. More serious falls could cause life-changing injuries, such as head injuries or broken hips, and are one of the leading causes for older adults to have to move into a care facility.

Typically for older adults, falls occur because of a combination of health issues and underlying risk factors. Insufficient balance and a lack of strength due to muscle loss are significant culprits and can be addressed by engaging in proper exercise. However, there could be other reasons, such as a new illness or side effects from medications.

For many seniors, the fear of falling is so severe that it causes them to restrict their physical activities. Ironically, it is this exact decrease in activities that raises the risk factor of any falls they may have in the future.

If you do plan to remain in your own home, there are modifications that you can make to help keep you safer. Grab bars, task lighting, and wheelchair ramps are all effective additions that can give you the help you need while also being affordable. There are also smart security features that you may consider, such as smart doorbells and interior cameras. While these devices have obvious benefits like being able to see who is at your front door simply by looking at your phone, you could also give a caregiver access so that they can regularly check on you.

Diet

Perhaps one of the best benefits of assisted or independent living is the access you have to healthy food options. Unfortunately, if you are having to rely solely on Social Security to pay your bills, buying healthy groceries becomes a bit more difficult. Eating healthy, while important for people of any age, is particularly imperative for seniors. If for no other reason than doing so can reduce inflammation, which can be partially responsible for arthritis and cognitive decline.

Carefully read the nutritional information on the foods that you buy and be mindful of what you are putting into your body. Try to eat filling foods that give your body the proper fuel it needs and focus on the overall quality and nutrients they provide for both your body and your mind.

Memory

Concerns about the loss of memory cause a lot of anxiety in many senior citizens and their families. It is important to note that memory loss may or may not be indicative of a substantial decrease in overall cognitive abilities. Many people are hesitant to address these kinds of concerns with their memory because they fear it might be Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Many believe that nothing can be done about their situation.

Getting a professional evaluation can provide an objective measure of cognitive capability and to what extent it may or may not be impaired. More importantly, these types of tests often find causes of decreased brain function that can be treated – such as side effects from medication, thyroid issues, or a wide variety of other potential problems that are commonly found in seniors. Often, identifying and treating underlying health problems and encouraging better brain health can be enough to improve cognitive function.

Depression

Although there are lower rates of depression reported among healthy seniors than among younger generations of the general public, it is still an issue that is frequently overlooked. Those struggling with illness, social isolation, or dependent on caregiving tend to struggle with this the most. A crucial key to living a better quality of life and more involvement in social activities lies in spotting and treating this depression. Doing so can also help older adults better manage other health problems they may be living with, such as chronic pain or diseases.

One of the most common signs of depression is when someone stops enjoying activities that used to bring them pleasure. This is known as anhedonia and, if you notice that this is happening to you or to someone else, it is important to reach out for help. Many studies indicate that medication and psychotherapy are usually effective enough to treat mild to moderate depression. However, unless you ask, non-drug-related treatments are not typically offered. Some medications, such as paroxetine, are anticholinergic and can dampen brain function. Stay clear of those if possible and instead ask your doctor about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (also called SSRIs) like escitalopram or sertraline, which tend to have fewer drug interactions and side effects to worry about.

Oral Health

Oral health can be linked directly to several other chronic health problems – such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. If giving your teeth a proper cleaning becomes more difficult because of an issue with their alignment, there are fairly easy products available to correct this problem. Weigh the pros and cons of several different options and consider talking to your dentist before making a decision. Just understand that your entire body can benefit from taking better care of your teeth and gums.

Incontinence

Chronic difficulty controlling your own bladder is a frequent issue that affects many senior citizens, especially the older they become. Although there may be different underlying issues that cause it, such as enlargement of the prostate in men, this affects both men and women alike. Since this can lead to highly embarrassing incidents, it can cause many older adults to limit their physical and social activities, which can increase their risk of suffering from depression, as we mentioned above.

It should be noted that there are different kinds of incontinence and, as we mentioned, each of these tends to have different causes. Because of this, it is important to identify the type and causes to effectively treat them. Even something like finding the proper pads to manage leaks can be nuanced and difficult, as they are not all the same. Consider logging your symptoms for several days before seeing your doctor to help them evaluate your situation. Just keep in mind that many medications that treat bladder spasms are also usually anticholinergic, which can impact your brain function.

Pain

Some surveys have seen as high as 50% of all seniors polled say they experience troublesome pain each month, often reporting that this affects multiple different parts of the body. Like several of the other entries on this list, persistent pain is tied to a decrease in physical and social activities, depression, and a worsening in taking care of their own health. Many times, pain can also be an indicator that there is a new health issue that needs attention or a chronic issue that is not being managed adequately.

Whenever possible, pain should be managed with non-drug-related methods. Studies have revealed that pain often can be decreased through specific types of exercises, physical therapy, psychotherapy, and other approaches. Although treatments with medication may still be needed, they should be done for short-term purposes or used in combination with other methods if at all possible. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which defines many over-the-counter pain medications (like Advil and Motrin), pose a high risk to senior citizens when used in high doses or when used regularly.

Medicare

Many Americans eagerly await the day they turn 65, knowing that Medicare finally kicks in. However, most are not also aware that there isn’t simply one type of coverage offered by Medicare. While original Medicare handles basic coverage, there are Medicare Advantage plans that function the same as private insurance and include things like prescription coverage and vision care. Whichever plan you choose, make certain to take full advantage of all of the benefits it provides – this includes your annual wellness visit. According to United Healthcare, this yearly check-up is the best chance for creating and refining your long-term healthcare plans.

Isolation

Isolation and loneliness have both been linked to a decrease in physical health, especially in older adults. One study reported that 43% of seniors felt lonely and that, over the next 6 years, these seniors were at a higher risk of losing physical abilities or dying. Both isolation and loneliness have likewise been linked to a lower function of the immune system and an increased risk of depression.

If you have already experienced difficulties in taking care of your daily needs, know that you are not alone. When things like going to the bathroom or cleaning the house are a struggle, there are better options available so that you can age in a safer environment. There are countless communities that offer assisted living, independent living, or seniors-only living across the country.

Senior citizens who have been bereaved or who live alone are at an even higher risk of feeling isolated, especially if their health issues interfere with their ability to leave the house. But even those who live close to others, such as those living in a facility or with family caregivers, can suffer from feelings of loneliness. Some studies have indicated that certain psychotherapies, such as mindfulness, can aid in reducing inflammation in the body in addition to acute feelings of loneliness. Although related, isolation has been linked to a higher risk of premature death than loneliness itself. If you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, try to arrange more social contact or have a caregiver help you to do so. And if there are health problems or concerns, such as a fear of falling, incontinence, or pain, that are preventing you from engaging in social outings, it is vital to address them immediately.

Polypharmacy

The term polypharmacy refers to the act of taking multiple medications and can be a common problem in older adults, due to the risk of harm because of the side effects or interactions of various medications. A report from the CDC states that, annually, 177,000 seniors visit emergency rooms across the U.S. because of problems resulting from the medications they are taking.

This issue causes additional problems because purchasing so many drugs adds up financially. It can also be difficult for older adults to keep track of such a large variety of doses and the frequency at which these medications need to be taken. This can cause seniors to take these medications at incorrect times or in incorrect dosages, which can cause their conditions to worsen. This could even lead to misguided medical care from doctors, as they might not understand that the patient has been taking the medication incorrectly.

Because it is so easy for doctors to prescribe medications (they are also often paid by pharmaceutical companies to do so), many senior citizens are taking medications that they don’t truly need. Research has shown that this problem is more common than you might think. Carefully reviewing your medications will usually reveal medications that are no longer necessary or that are only marginally useful. But this type of review is not likely to happen unless you request one, so talk to your doctor if this is a concern of yours.

Bottom Line: A Life Change

With any luck, the tips and aspects discussed above will give you a better understanding of what you may be facing as someone entering into their golden years. While this may mean a lot of big changes in your life, just remember to not overlook how you feel inside and out. If your current living arrangements are not the best situation for your needs, then you can change them. If you cannot live alone anymore, know that options are available for you to find the right level of care or assistance to keep you eating right, moving, and spending time socializing.

Now that things have slowed down a little, you can spend more time than ever focusing on keeping your mind and body as active as you can. And, if you are lucky, maybe you will have to ability to pass on all that wisdom that you have gained in your later years.