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| |  | |  | | | | The information on these pages is intended for general knowledge purposes only. If you have or think you have any of these conditions, you should contact your physician immediately. If you do not have a physician, contact:
Hartford Hospital's Health Referral Services: Phone: 860.545.1888 Email: CLICK HERE | | | |  | |  |
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Common Health Concerns
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Arthritis
(Joint Stiffness & Pain)
While often referred to as if it were a single disease, arthritis is actually
an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions that
collectively affect nearly 70 million adults and 300,000 children in America
alone. While the most common form of arthritis - osteoarthritis (OA) - is most
prevalent in people over 60, arthritis in its various forms can start as early
as infancy. Some forms affect people in their young-adult years as they are
beginning careers and families and still others start during the peak career and
child-rearing years.
The common thread among these 100-plus conditions is that they all affect the
musculoskeletal system and specifically the joints - where two or more bone
meet. Arthritis-related joint problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and
damage to joint cartilage (the tough, smooth tissue that covers the ends of the
bones, enabling them to glide against one another) and surrounding structures.
Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible deformities
that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can interfere with the
most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, using a computer
keyboard, cutting your food or brushing your teeth.
For many people with arthritis, however, joint involvement is not the extent
of the problem. Many forms of arthritis are classified as systemic, meaning they
can affect the whole body. In these diseases, arthritis can cause damage to
virtually any bodily organ or system, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood
vessels and skin. Arthritis-related conditions primarily affect the muscles and
the bones.
For more information about arthritis, contact your physician or:
The Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
1.800.283.7800
www.arthritis.org
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Appetite Concerns
Though loss of appetite is common among seniors, especially those living
alone, it can also be attributed to many things including depression, illness or
anxiety. Good nutrition is vital to your health and wellbeing, and you should
make every effort to eat well-balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables
and whole grains. If preparing meals is difficult for your or your family, you
may want to consider a meals program such as Meals on Wheels offered by VNA
HealthCare or other meal programs in your area. VNA Health Care’s meals program
is reasonably priced and can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
For information on home meal delivery, contact:
VNA HealthCare
1.800.HOMECARE (1.800.466.3227)
www.vnahealthcare.org
If loss of appetite persists, consult your physician or contact:
Hartford HealthCare Geriatric Assessment Center
860.545.7043
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Balance Problems
As people grow older, they may have difficulty with their balance. Roughly 9
percent of adults who are 65 and older report having problems with balance.
Having good balance means being able to control and maintain your body's
position, whether you are moving or remaining still. An intact sense of balance
helps you
- walk without staggering
- get up from a chair without falling
- climb stairs without tripping
Good balance is important to help you get around, stay independent, and carry
out daily activities. The main cause of balance problems is disturbance of the
inner ear. People feel unsteady, or as if they were moving, spinning, or
floating. Vertigo, the feeling that you or the things around you are spinning,
is also a common symptom. Experts believe that more than 40 percent of Americans
will experience dizziness that is serious enough to require medical assistance.
Balance disorders are one reason older people fall. Falls and fall-related
injuries, such as hip fracture, can have a serious impact on an older person's
life. If you fall, it could limit your activities or make it impossible to live
independently. Many people often become more isolated after a fall. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults
ages 65 years and older fall each year. Among older adults, falls are the
leading cause of injury deaths.
For more information about balance problems, contact your physician,
or:
On the Web:
National Institute of Health:
www.nihseniorhealth.gov
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Breathing Problems
If you’re experiencing difficulty breathing or catching your breath or
finding yourself out of breath after minor exertion, you could be suffering from
one of several conditions including asthma, congestive heart failure or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It is very important
that you consult your physician if you experience breathing problems of any
kind.
Click on the link below for more information on diseases or conditions that
could affect breathing.
On the Web:
American Lung Association:
www.lungusa.org
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Caregiver Stress
When you are responsible for caring for a loved one, it is not unusual to
feel stressed or anxious. If you want to provide good care, you have to take
care of yourself first.
Caregivers tend to deny their own needs. The best way to prevent the
depression, frustration and resentment that cause caregiver burnout is to hold
back some time out of every day for yourself. Don’t wait until all of your
chores and care giving tasks are done before doing things for yourself. You will
run out of time. Instead, decide on the minimum amount of time you need each day
to meet your basic personal needs. Carve that time out of your schedule. Then
figure out how the chores and care giving will get done.
For more tips on how you can take care of a loved one without risking your
emotional or physical health, contact:
VNA Health Care
1.800.HOMECARE (1.800.466.3227)
www.vnahealthcare.org
MidState VNA and Hospice
203.235.5714
http://www.midstatemedical.org/
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Dementia
Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to
carry out daily activities.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia among older people.
It involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language.
Every day scientists learn more, but right now the causes of Alzheimer’s disease
are still unknown and there is no cure. There are currently treatment options
that may slow the progress of the disease.
For more information about dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease
diagnosis and treatment, contact your physician, or:
On the Web:
National Institute of Health:
www.nihseniorhealth.gov
Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center:
www.alzheimers.org
Institute of Living Memory Disorders Center:
CLICK HERE
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Depression
Depression is not necessarily a normal part of aging, but it is common in
adults age 65 and older.
Retirement, health problems and the loss of loved ones are things that
typically happen to older adults, and feeling sad at these times is normal. But
if these feelings persist and keep you from your usual activities, you should
talk to your doctor.
To learn more about depression, you can also contact the Hartford HealthCare Geriatric Assessment Center at
860.545.7043 or click below for more information
The Institute of Living Geriatric Mental Health Services:
CLICK HERE
On the Web:
FamilyDoctor.org: www.familydoctor.org
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Falling
Older people and people recovering from illness or injury are at a greater
risk for injuries caused by falling. The following are some guidelines to help
prevent falls:
- When you first wake up, sit on the edge of the bed and make sure you are
not dizzy before you get out of bed.
- Eat breakfast every morning. Skipping a meal could make you dizzy.
- Be careful around pets - they can get in front of your feet or jump on
you.
- Use a cane or walker if you are unsteady. Promptly replace worn rubber
tips of these devices.
- Never grab a towel rack, shampoo holder or soap tray for support in the
shower. These will not hold a person's weight.
- Let the soap suds go down the drain before you move around in the
shower.
- Do not turn suddenly.
- If you are prone to falling, use a shower chair and a handheld shower
attachment.
- Clean up puddles of water immediately.
- Don’t lock the bathroom door. That will delay help in reaching you.
- When on a stairway, never carry any package that will obstruct your view
of the next step.
- Keep at least one hand on the handrail when climbing or descending a
stairway.
- Concentrate on what you are doing; don't be distracted by sounds.
- Arrange clothes in your closet so they are easy to reach.
For more information on falling, causes and prevention, contact your
physician or:
Hartford HealthCare Geriatric Assessment Center
860.545.7043
On the Web:
CT Collaboration for Fall Prevention:
www.fallprevention.org
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Food & Nutrition
Your body requires a certain amount of energy from carbohydrates, protein and
fats to function properly. Because no single food provides all of the nutrients
your body needs, eating a variety of foods ensures that you get all of the
necessary nutrients and other substances associated with good health.
Eating well doesn't have to be complicated. Unless you need a special diet
for a specific health problem, the best approach is to follow national dietary
recommendations. These recommendations have evolved over the years to keep pace
with an expanding scientific knowledge on how diet can affect health and prevent
disease.
The most recent recommendations come from the National Academy of Sciences'
Institute of Medicine. These guidelines are significantly different from those
of the past, particularly in regard to carbohydrates and fat. More fat is
allowed, and carbohydrates should make up a lower minimum percentage (down from
55 percent to 45 percent.
Use these recommendations as a guide when planning your daily meals and
snacks. If you need to lose or gain weight, some of these recommendations may
need to be adjusted.
If you’re having difficulty eating, or swallowing or if you’ve noticed a
sudden change in appetite, consult your physician or contact:
Hartford HealthCare Geriatric Assessment Center
860.545.7043.
If you’d like a home visit from a registered dietitian, contact:
VNA HealthCare
1.800.HOMECARE (1.800.466.3227)
www.vnahealthcare.org
On the Web:
American Heart Association:
www.americanheart.org
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Long Term Care
(Nursing Home Care)
When you or a loved one is unable to live at home because of illness, injury
or frailty, you may want to consider long term care. Long term care can be for a
specified duration or an indefinite stay. There are many facilities in
Connecticut and it may be difficult to choose the right one for your family.
Below are some things you may want to consider when choosing long term care:
- Make sure there is 24-hour emergency care available and that a physician
can be contacted whenever needed.
- Find out what he facility’s arrangements fare for hospital care if it’s
needed.
- Nurses should be specially trained in long-term care.
- Qualified rehabilitation therapists should be available if needed.
- Find out how often residents have access to grooming services such as
barbers and beauticians.
- Find out what kinds of activities will be available and how often.
- A social worker should be available to help with arrangements and
adjusting to new living arrangements.
- Residents should be able to attend religious services in their
respective faiths.
A hospital near you should be able to provide you with a list of nursing
homes and other senior housing facilities.
For more information, contact:
JEFFERSON HOUSE
One John H. Stewart Drive
Newington, CT 06111
860.667.4453
www.JeffersonHouse.org
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Leg Pain
There are several potential causes of leg pain including arthritis,
arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, peripherial arterial disease and
thrombophlebitis. Often people experience pain while exercising and then it goes
away when they stop exercising. If this happens, you should see your physician.
Leg pain is not just a symptom of getting older. It could be related to a
serious problem. See your physician if you are experiencing leg pain. Treatment
may help you return to a more active lifestyle and prevent potentially
debilitating or deadly health problems, including amputation, heart attack or
stroke.
On the Web:
Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com
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Memory Loss
Information is stored in different parts of the brain. Short term memory
includes things that happened moments ago. Recent memory includes information
from recent events such as breakfast today. Remote memory includes things you
stored in your memories years ago. As early as our twenties, we begin to lose
brain cells a few at a time. Our bodies begin to make less of the chemicals our
brain cells need to work. The older we are, the more these changes affect our
memory.
Your short-term and remote memories aren't usually affected by aging. But
your recent memory may be affected. You may forget names of people you've met
recently. These are normal changes. If memory loss begins to affect daily
living, such as forgetting how to do things you have always done easily or
forgetting how to go somewhere you go often, you should consult your physician.
Many things other than aging can cause memory problems. These include
depression, other illnesses, dementia (severe problems with memory and thinking,
such as Alzheimer's disease), side effects of drugs, strokes, a head injury and
alcoholism.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to
carry out daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of
dementia among older people. It involves the parts of the brain that control
thought, memory and language. Every day scientists learn more, but right now the
causes of Alzheimer’s disease are still unknown and there is no cure. There are
currently treatment options that may slow the progress of the disease.
Things to help you remember
- Keep lists.
- Follow a routine.
- Make associations (connect things in your mind), such as using landmarks
to help you find places.
- Keep a detailed calendar.
- Put important items, such as your keys, in the same place every time.
- Repeat names when you meet new people.
- Do things that keep your mind and body busy.
- Run through the ABC's in your head to help you think of words you're
having trouble remembering. ("Hearing" the first letter of a word may jog
your memory.)
(Above information was compiled from
www.familydoctor.org)
For more information on memory loss or to make an appointment for a memory
assessment consultation, contact:
The Memory Disorders Center at Institute of Living
Assessment Center
Phone: 860.545.7200
Toll-free: 1.800.673.2411
www.harthosp.org/InstituteOfLiving/GeriatricServices/MemoryDisordersCenter
On the Web:
National Institute of Health:
www.nihseniorhealth.gov
Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral
Center:
www.alzheimers.org
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Vision Problems
There are two common vision problems seniors may experience, glaucoma and
cataracts. Glaucoma is an eye disease that may cause loss of vision, and it
occurs as a result of a buildup of fluid in the eyeball. Fluid nourishes your
eye and keeps it healthy. After the fluid circulates, it empties through a drain
in the front of your eye. In people with glaucoma, the drain in the eye is
blocked and the fluid can't run out of the eyeball. Instead, the fluid builds up
and causes increased pressure in the eye. The increased pressure causes nerve
damage and loss of vision.
Cataracts are clouding of the lens portion of the eye and occur in 60 percent
of people older than 60. Cataracts are treatable with a relatively simple
procedure. See your eye doctor regularly (at least once a year) and let your
doctor know if you have experienced any changes in your vision.
Diabetes can also cause serious vision problems. If you are a diabetic, make
sure you inform your eye doctor and consult your regular physician if you
experience any visual problems.
VNA HealthCare can provide visiting nurse services specializing in diabetes
management. For more information on diabetes nurse visits, contact:
VNA HealthCare
1.800.HOMECARE (1.800.466.3227)
www.vnahealthcare.org
On the Web:
Diabetes LifeCare @ Hartford Hospital:
www.harthosp.org/diabetes
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