Sixty percent of American adults have at least one chronic health condition. Another 40 percent have two or more chronic conditions. Older Americans are more likely to have more than one health issue. If your parent has one or more chronic conditions, it can impact aging at home and the ability to handle activities of daily living.

Take a Look at the Common Chronic Diseases

There are several chronic diseases. Some of the most common today are:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Arthritis
• Cancer (Breast, colorectal, prostate, and skin are four of the most common)
• Diabetes/Prediabetes
• Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Obesity
• Poor oral health
• Stroke

Risk factors for these include excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, and smoking. If your parents have any of these bad habits, they should work on changing them. Talk to their doctor for tips on how to change these behaviors. It may take appointments with specialists to help your mom or dad break these habits.

How Do They Impact the Ability to Live Alone?

Depending on the chronic health condition, some seniors manage them well on their own. However, some chronic diseases require careful monitoring, medications, and diet. If that’s the case and your parent can’t remember to do things on his or her own, home health care services may become necessary.

Diabetes is one example. Not only will your parent need to carefully watch what he or she eats, but regular tests to find blood sugar levels and regular check-ups with doctors and eye doctors are important. Reminders for these can help your parent remain healthy.

People with Alzheimer’s disease need supervision in the mid to late stages of the disease. The risk of wandering, failure to remember to take medications or eat, and the ability to shower and get dressed all become impacted as the memory deteriorates.

Cancer is another common chronic health condition. Appointments for chemo and radiation, rides to and from the hospital and doctor’s office, and support while feeling sick and in pain are all vital. Someone needs to make sure your parent stays hydrated and is keeping food down. Help with housework, laundry, and ambulation are also needed.

Spend time with your mom and dad and see how well they manage the typical daily routines. If there are issues, home health care services help them stay active and keep the home safe and organized. Call ou home health care agency to get started.

Sources:  https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm

For Home Health Care Services in Collierville TN, please contact the caring staff at Personal Care Services MidSouth today!