There are some studies that show a spouse who is giving care to a loved one has a better chance of developing a health related problem that they may feel obligated to ignore. Caregivers that take responsibility for their parents in home assistance may also ignore their own health in order to provide the necessary attention to their loved one. Both groups seem to think that the one needing the care should come first but this isn’t necessarily the best line of thinking to follow.

Caregivers must remember that if they are set back by a condition that could have been avoided, they will be unable to offer their family member any help. If you are in either group there are strategies you should adhere to for your own well being. You need to schedule certain times of the day that are for breaks from care giving that will allow you to focus on your own needs.

Older spouses seem to be at the greatest risk. They have less energy to begin with and can be worn down and more likely to develop colds. 

The condition known as prediabetes is an indicator that you may develop type 2 or adult onset diabetes. A diagnosis of prediabetes can be alarming it doesn’t necessarily ensure that you will ultimately suffer from type 2 diabetes though. You can reduce your chances of adult onset diabetes by nearly 60% or slow the onset of diabetes with moderate changes in your weight and lifestyle.

The trouble for seniors and prediabetes is that there are no easily identifiable symptoms. A tingling in the feet or the urge to urinate more frequently may indicate this problem but there are many seniors that take these signs as nothing more than normal aging. A doctor can perform a simple test to those who are at risk that will help identify the presence of prediabetes.  Anyone over the age of 45 who is overweight should strongly consider having the test perform to determine if some form of treatment is required.

The prediabetic can help stave off the more damaging diabetes with a 10 to 15 % loss of body weight and an increase in exercise. This can also reduce risks for other conditions like osteoporosis, depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

A new study of men and women over 60 shows a much greater incidence of developing Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease following a diabetes diagnosis. The study observed a group of 1,000 men and women with high level of blood sugar for 15 years.  There have been other studies on this possible link but this current study had clearer definitions of both diabetes and dementia than those in the past.  People with high blood sugar level were shown to have almost 2 times the chance of developing Alzheimer’s or some type of dementia.

Diabetes has been shown to cause vascular dementia due to the damage the disease does to blood vessels in the brain.  The resistance to insulin may make it hard for the body to break down a protein in the brain that can cause plaque build up in brain’s blood vessels also.

Diabetes can be a very hard disease to manage, especially with the added burden of dementia.  Limiting the effects of blood sugar levels by adhering strictly to the recommended diet is a must.  If you have parents or friends who you care for that have this condition you may want to reach out to a professional senior care provider for assistance.

The diabetic with dementia and Alzheimer’s can forget whether or not they have eaten and how to prepare foods.  A home health aide is aware of the importance of diet when it comes to the treatment of diabetes and dementia and can design an effective meal plan and eating schedule.  A specially trained senior care provider can also ensure that the appropriate medications are taken when necessary to keep the diseases under control.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart beat where the two top chambers of the heart do not work in sync with the lower chambers. The irregular heartbeat, usually rapid, creates shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, and overall muscle weakness.

Heart palpitations are sensations of a racing heartbeat that can feel like a rumbling or flopping in the chest. Although atrial fibrillation is not fatal it can lead to complications that are. The chance of having a stroke if irregular heart beat is allowed to go untreated

Sleep apnea is a disorder that can lead to more serious consequences. There are two kinds of sleep apnea, obstructive and central, both of which need fast diagnosis and appropriate treatment for improved health and quality of life.

In obstructive sleep apnea the air passages are blocked by extra tissue in the back of the throat. This extra tissue may be caused by obesity and could possibly be relieved by losing weight. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in older adults and can increase the risk of high blood pressure and strokes.

Central apnea is quite a bit less common than the obstructive variety but every bit as dangerous. It happens when the brain does not send the proper signals to the respiratory system. It is possible that both types of sleep disorder could occur in the same person.

Senior citizens face a number of problems that they feel are a normal part of aging. One of the most common problems plaguing seniors is difficulty sleeping. It has been reported that up to 13 % of males and 30 % of females over 65 take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep.

Many retirees believe that little or no work done during the day could make it more difficult to fall asleep. That does make sense but aging and retirement do not necessarily make sleeping problems inevitable. Those who help seniors in daily activities should most certainly be aware of the potential signs of insomnia or trouble sleeping.

The incidence of depression in older adults continues to be difficult to diagnose. Part of the problem in diagnosis is that seniors who have serious illnesses or have recently lost their spouse will be expected to have feelings of depression.

Feeling sadness and grief due to loss of a loved one is normal, but if after a significant other dies, continued sadness that affects normal activities is not.

It can be easy for seniors to get away from properly balanced diets. Concentrating on medications that reduce cholesterol and diuretics that lower blood pressure may cause a senior to feel as though careful attention to diet isn’t necessary.

Those who provide in home assistance to seniors must also be wary of concentrating too much on medications when offering care services. A good, balanced diet with fresh foods is the best way to keep seniors feeling strong and healthy.

The elderly are subject to loss of body fluids more than most other sections of the population. When seniors drink less water, they feel a lesser need for it and this can lead to dehydration. The medications seniors take may be diuretics and also contribute to a lack of fluids in the body.

The symptoms of dehydration can be clouded by other conditions that seniors experience. A dehydrated person may have a sudden onset fever and the senior care provider could mistake this as a sign of infection or virus

When a senior is having trouble hearing, those around them can be the best ones to diagnose the problem. A common sign of hearing problems is a senior asking you to repeat yourself frequently or having trouble understanding you on the phone. Other signs can include the radio or television being turned up to very high levels or a senior having difficulty hearing or understanding women and children.

Once a senior care provider notices some of these problems it is time for a hearing test.