Shakespeare said, “ OLD AGE IS THE 2nd CHILDHOOD”. After working with Seniors’, I cannot agree more.
Below conditions are seen in both age group of below 5 years and above 70 years:
- Falls
- Dehydration
- Urinary tract infection
- Constipation ( seen frequently in children too but not as prevalent in elders)
Interesting thing is that, all above conditions are preventable.
FALL:
Fall s a very common occurrence in elders. According to WHO, 28% to 30% of elders above the age of 65 years have a fall. The incidence of fall in elderly increase due to various reasons, few being, weak joints of the legs, neuropathy due to long standing diabetes, balance isssues, parkinsons disease, carpets at home, slippery floors, absence of grab bars and other fall prevention aids where elders live, long lose garments etc.
Fall risk assessment can help identify the potential dangers and easy available solutions can be implemented or practiced.
DEHYDRATION:
Elders are very sensitive to decreased water content in the body. They tend to consume less water as they have to frequent the rest room and also some elders have incontinence.
This is due to various causes, to name a few, dehydration can be caused by chronic condition which lessens their thirst sensation, certain drugs causes loss of fluid from the body, fluid balance mechanism is lost due to age (Frangeskou, Marianna & López-Valcárcel, Beatriz & Serra-Majem, Lluis. (2015). Dehydration in the Elderly: A Review Focused on Economic Burden. The Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging. 19. 10.1007/s12603-015-0491-2)
Water is a very essential for all functions of our body. It is a thermostat for our body as it regulates our body temperature, washes out toxins from our body, regulates electrolytes in the body, prevents urinary tract infections.
Consumption of minimum of 3-4 lit of per day is necessary (incase of renal diseases and certain heart conditions, the water intake has to be monitored)
URINARY TRACT INFECTION:
Most common infection found in elders is UTI. The incidence increases as the age increases. This is most commonly due to long standing diabetes, the toilet seats, deceased water intake and poor perineal hygiene, antibiotic resistance etc
Most of the UTI can be prevented by ensuring the following :
Toilet seats to be properly disinfected daily. Most of the apartments use STP water in the flush, regular testing of bacterial content in the STP water should be checked by the authorities.
Urine routine once a month should be part of regular monitoring regime.
Keep diabetes under control.
Drinking adequate water as per the health condition.
Practicing good hygiene and perineal care
CONSTIPATION:
Constipation is another preventable common condition found in the elderly.
As age increases, the motility of the intestines becomes slower. The neuromuscular junction become week resulting in decrease of intestinal motility & this lead to extra absorption of water back into the body making the stools hard and leading to constipation.
Elders can be on certain medications which cause constipation. Low water intake by the elders is another cause.
Constipation is easily preventable by ensuring adequate water intake, adequate physical activity, eating fibre rich diet which includes lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits, including safe laxatives eg isabgol husks in the daily diet.
Each and every one of us are responsible for our own health and you would have noticed that by taking few simple steps, we are able to prevent conditions which if contracted will lead to lot of discomfort.
Be Smart Be Safe
Have a Healthy Happy Life!