As people age, it is common for things to change. Some of these changes are welcomed, but not all of them. In fact, a lot of seniors deal with growing difficulties and challenges as they age. Here is a brief list of some of the common challenges that the elderly face.
Finances
Seniors typically are on a fixed income because of Social Security and retirement accounts. As people age, access to adequate cash can be tough. Unfortunately, this has an impact on other aspects of health, too. Not being able to afford the right care and treatment can lead to increasingly severe health issues.
Lack of Access to Resources
For many seniors, getting connected to the right resources is a huge challenge. Like finances, this isn’t an issue that impacts seniors alone. This is especially true in smaller or more impoverished communities. Getting access to the resources that will help out isn’t easy in these situations. That’s why knowing what is available in your area is so important. Knowledge is often half the battle in these scenarios. If you’re unsure of where to start, getting in touch with your county’s senior services center can get you started out.
Need for Help with Daily Tasks
This is where senior care can help. Many seniors don’t need to move into a nursing home, but do need help with some of the daily tasks that they once did so easily. Preparing meals, remembering medications, running errands, or just getting around from one room to another might still be possible, but become a bit more difficult as they age. Over time, these things can become harder and lead to accidents as people get tired or careless. In-home care or assisted living can help to meet these needs without the high level of care that comes with a nursing home.
Assistance with Care Wishes
Some seniors know exactly what they want when it comes to senior care, but some don’t. Having these conversations early can make sure that you and your loved ones are headed in the right direction when it comes to care. Creating documents like advance directives can also help, as this will ensure that your elderly parents will have their wishes locked in with a legal document.
Declining Health
Additionally, a lot of seniors face issues with their health. As we age, it is natural that the immune system begins to weaken and health issues become more severe. This fits in with many of the issues listed, make declining health issues even worse.
These are just some of the common challenges that our elderly loved ones are facing. Each situation is unique, and what might be a challenge in my family might not be the issue that your family is struggling with. You might have a totally different challenge that isn’t listed here. Oftentimes, these challenges can feel impossibly isolating. You might feel like you are struggling with these things all alone–but you aren’t.
Help is out there. Feel free to reach out to us or another care professional for assistance.
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