Seniors lose bone density and muscle mass as they age, leading to changes in gait and posture. Their bodies lose calcium and other minerals, making it challenging to move around and handle daily tasks. Below are some of the ways aging impacts the bones, muscles, and joints along with some tips on what your senior loved one can do to address each one.
Poor Posture
Discs harden over time and lose their flexibility, making the back curve forward and increasing the odds of stooped posture. Aging also affects muscle mass, shrinks tissues, and weakens bones. These are issues that contribute to curvature of the spine and poor posture.
One of the best ways for seniors to manage this issue is with exercise. Physical movements can correct posture for older adults, whether they’re seated or standing.
Slower Movements
Muscles provide the strength and force to move the body. However, aging causes changes in the joints, bones, and muscles that increase weakness and affect how your parent moves. In some instances, older adults experience limited mobility, and their walking patterns may become unsteady. However, following a healthy diet, exercising, and taking up fun activities could lower stress, increase bone health, and boost mobility.
Making positive lifestyle choices is just one of the many ways older adults can delay the impacts of aging. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Las Vegas Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Brittle Bones
As seniors age, their bones become more brittle and break more easily. Inflammation regulation, nerve signaling, and cellular differentiation are all impacted by aging and can disrupt the healing process, which is why simple falls could have devastating consequences for the elderly, including broken bones, infections, and even death. If your loved one falls, elevate his or her legs and check his or her body for injuries. If necessary, go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.
Weaker bones aren’t the only age-related condition older adults may have to experience. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality senior home care. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
Less Energy
Seniors have to face various issues, including changes in cells that cause aging muscles to lose their strength, mass, and flexibility. When this happens, it will be tiring for them to complete various activities and exercises.
One of the best ways to increase metabolism is by consuming nutritious meals. Seniors can also take supplements to get the vitamins and minerals their bones need. It’s also a good idea to space out physical activities to prevent your loved one from overexerting his or her muscles and increasing fatigue.
Aches & Pains
The ligaments and tendons that hold joints together will become stiffer and leathery as seniors get older. Joint cartilage will also wear away due to aging. As a result, your parent could experience more aches, soreness, and pain in the joints, muscles, and bones.
Speak with your loved one’s primary care physician to determine how to address your loved one’s pain. In some cases, exercise and healthy eating can help, but the doctor may need to prescribe medication and therapy to reduce aches and pains.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Las Vegas, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today.
