Today’s episode will explore the signs and symptoms that can tell us when to be concerned about a loved one. We will also talk about the first steps you should take when you are concerned about a loved one. Now let’s move on to the rest of the show.

 

We are all constantly experiencing change in our lives. As we age, we watch our loved ones age, as well. According to the Caregiver Resource Center, every six seconds, a person in the US turns 50 years old. The rapidly increasing aging population is creating a care crisis in the United States, and all over the world. In the next four years, there is expected to be over two million people that reach the age of 100. As life expectancy increases, so do the number of families that are taking on responsibilities for aging loved ones.

 

If you are anticipating helping or providing care for a loved one in the future, you may be wondering what signs and symptoms you should be looking for in your loved one, as well as what the aging process generally looks like. According to the Merck Manual of Geriatrics, aging is a process of gradual and spontaneous change, resulting in maturation through childhood, puberty, and young adulthood, and then decline through middle and late age. Healthy aging refers to a process by which deleterious effects are minimized, preserving function until senescence (a productive form of aging leading to organ death), makes continued life impossible.

 

According to the Caregiver Resource Center, studies conducted by The MacArthur Foundation have shed new light on the concept of aging. Findings show only 5.2% of all older persons end up in nursing homes, 89% of persons aged 65 to 74 - reported no disability whatsoever, 73% of persons aged 75 to 84 - still reported no disability, 25% of persons aged 85+ - reported being fully functional, and 70% of the aging process is controllable - only 30% is stamped in our genetic code.

 

The last statistic, 70% of the aging process is controllable, is something we should be focusing on when we are younger. Creating healthy habits, like eating right and exercising regularly, can all lead to longer and healthier lives. Some things are totally out of our control, though, like dementia and other diseases, but even so, taking good care of ourselves can help diminish the risks and symptoms of the unavoidable aspects of aging.

 

The Caregiver Resource Center says that everyone experiences aging differently. Some individuals may experience mental and physical limitations that limit their level of functioning, while others will remain relatively high functioning. In looking at the process of aging, it is important to understand the difference between "normal aging", and that of illness and disease. Usually, people think of aging as beginning around the age of 65, when the changes to the human body actually begin as early as age 30. Research shows that the human body loses about 1% of functioning per year starting at age 30, but the human body is able to adapt to the changes unless some form of illness is present.

 

It is important to note that fundamental changes to a person's physical and mental abilities are a normal part of aging, but disease is not. All too often, an elder is forced to suffer unnecessary pain and discomfort, because their doctor or loved one, has chalked their aches and pains, incontinence, confusion, or depression up to "normal" aging; when many of these problems could be reversed or at least medically controlled.

 

During the normal aging process, changes occur to your cardiovascular system, your bones, joints, and muscles, your digestive system, your bladder and urinary tract, your memory and thinking skills, your eyes, ears and teeth, your skin, and your weight.

 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common change in the cardiovascular system is stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood through them. The heart muscles change to adjust to the increased workload. Your heart rate at rest will stay about the same, but it won't increase during activities as much as it used to. These changes increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems.

 

To promote heart health, you should include physical activity in your daily routine, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, manage stress, and get enough sleep.

 

With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture. You might even become a bit shorter. Muscles generally lose strength, endurance, and flexibility — factors that can affect your coordination, stability, and balance. To promote bone, joint, and muscle health, you should get adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D, include physical activity in your daily routine, and avoid substance abuse.

 

Age-related structural changes in the large intestine, as well other contributing factors like medications and lack of exercise, can result in more constipation in older adults. Eating a healthy diet, including physical activity in your daily routine, and not ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement can all help prevent constipation with age.

 

Mayo Clinic also says that your bladder may become less elastic as you age, resulting in the need to urinate more often. Weakening of bladder muscles and pelvic floor muscles may make it difficult for you to empty your bladder completely or cause you to lose bladder control known as - urinary incontinence. In men, an enlarged or inflamed prostate also can cause difficulty emptying the bladder and incontinence. You can promote bladder and urinary tract health by going to the bathroom regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, doing kegel exercises, and avoiding bladder irritants and constipation.

 

We’ve discussed at length changes that happen during aging that relate to memory and thinking skills. We recently released a series on the Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s that discuss the differences between age-related memory issues and dementia-related memory issues. Visit our website or YouTube channel to find these episodes and more, or listen to them wherever you get your podcasts.

 

According to the Mayo Clinic, your brain undergoes changes as you age that may have minor effects on your memory or thinking skills. For example, healthy older adults might forget familiar names or words, or they may find it more difficult to multitask. You can promote cognitive health by taking the following steps: including physical activity in your daily routine, eating a healthy diet, staying mentally active, being social, treating cardiovascular disease, and quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about any mental changes you may notice.

 

With age, you might have difficulty focusing on objects that are close up. You might become more sensitive to glare and have trouble adapting to different levels of light. Aging also can affect your eye's lens, causing clouded vision, or cataracts. For more information on vision problems and cataracts, listen to our episode on Understanding Cataracts.

 

Your hearing also might diminish. You might have difficulty hearing high frequencies or following a conversation in a crowded room. To promote eye and ear health, schedule regular check-ups and take the necessary precautions to protect your vision and hearing.

 

Age-related changes also occur to your teeth and gums. Mayo Clinic says that your gums might pull back from your teeth. Certain medications, such as those that treat allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, also can cause dry mouth. As a result, your teeth and gums might become slightly more vulnerable to decay and infection. To promote oral health, schedule regular check-ups and brush and floss regularly.

 

With age, your skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile, and fatty tissue just below the skin decreases. You might notice that you bruise more easily. Decreased production of natural oils might make your skin drier. Wrinkles, age spots and small growths called skin tags are more common. To promote healthy skin, be gentle, take precautions, and don’t smoke.

 

Lastly, how your body burns calories (metabolism) slows down as you age. If you decrease activities as you age, but continue to eat the same as usual, you'll gain weight. To maintain a healthy weight, stay active and eat healthily, and watch portion sizes.

 

Now that we know what the normal signs of aging are and a few ways you can help your body age healthily, let’s move on to some of the signs that you are not aging in a normal way.

 

According to the Caregiver Resource Center, depression to the degree that it interferes with usual daily functioning, confusion, delusions or hallucinations, changes in personality, and changes in basic intelligence are all functions that are not a part of the normal aging process. If you notice any of these things happening to a loved one, it may be time to have a conversation with them about their health and stress the importance of scheduling a doctor’s appointment. Go with them to the doctor so you can express your concerns, as well.

 

You know your loved one better than their doctor does. You are able to see more about your loved one’s daily behavior than their doctor is able to observe in a thirty-minute appointment. Keep a record of changes and behaviors you notice that concern you so you can present them to the doctor or other family members.

 

Talk to your loved one’s other family and friends and see what others have noticed, as well. Most importantly, let your loved one know that they have a support system. Aging can be scary and your loved one will worry about what will happen to them. Your love and support can make all the difference.

 

We want to say thank you for joining us here at All Home Care Matters, All Home Care Matters is here for you and to help families as they navigate these long-term care issues. Please visit us at allhomecarematters.com there is a private secure fillable form where you can give us feedback, show ideas, or if you have questions. Every form is read and responded to. If you know someone who could benefit from this episode, please share it with them.

 

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Sources:

http://www.caregiverresourcecenter.com/the_elder.htm#when_to_be_concerned

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070