Caring for a Senior with Kidney Disease

Senior Care Manhattan Beach CA

With age comes the added risk of developing a chronic disease, which could possibly be kidney disease. This disease is especially common among older adults, which may also increase the possibility of other chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disease.

Kidney disease sometimes has no symptoms associated with it, so it is important that the senior get annual checkups to check on the health of these and other organs in the body. If your loved one does have this condition, a senior home care provider can be hired to ensure the elder is taking their medication on time and making the right lifestyle choices for their health.

Other ways you can help your loved one is by learning as much on kidney disease as possible. Here is some information to get you started.

Symptoms

Some seniors may not be aware of any symptoms that could point to kidney disease, but others may experience the following warning signs.

Changes in the time and frequency of the need for urination
High blood pressure
Blood in the urine
Unable to sleep well
Feeling pain in the kidney area
Headaches
Shortness of breath
Itching
Lack of appetite
Lack of concentration
Constantly feeling tired
Vomiting and nausea
Inability to concentrate
Metallic taste in their mouth and bad breath

Risk Factors

The following factors will greatly increase your loved one’s chances of developing kidney disease.

Being over the age of 60
Obese or overweight
Having diabetes
Having heart disease
History of acute kidney disease
Being aboriginal or Torres Strait islander descent
Being a smoker
Family history of kidney disease
Having high blood pressure

Keeping Your Loved One’s Kidneys Healthy

Even if the senior does have kidney disease, there are plenty of ways they keep these organs healthy and reduce their symptoms and health problems. Here are just a few ways to do this.

Keep the blood sugar at a healthy level through medication and other happy health choices.
Drink plenty of water and consume foods that are low in sugar and salt, but is high in fiber.
Quit smoking.
Exercise moderately for about 30 minutes per day.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Control blood sugar levels.
Get a kidney health check at the doctor’s office.

Kidney disease can drastically change your loved‘s health. However, with these tips, your senior parent will be able to prevent this condition from happening to them.

Source: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/kidneys-age-related-problems

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Manhattan Beach CA, please contact the caring staff at 1Heart Caregiver Services today.