While epilepsy can be dangerous if left untreated, many seniors are able to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures with comprehensive lifestyle changes. Here’s a closer look at a few steps seniors can take to minimize the risk of epileptic seizures.
1. Keep a Seizure Log
Seniors and their caregivers should keep records of any seizures that take place. After one has occurred, write down the exact time of the seizure, how long it lasted, and what your loved one was doing beforehand. You should also spend a few moments logging what your loved one did in the hours leading up to the seizure. These logs will be invaluable to the doctor when determining what triggers the seizures.
2. Educate Family Members
Even though epilepsy is a relatively common health condition, there are several misconceptions about it, which is why family members should know what must be done during a seizure. In most cases, they need to make sure their loved one is in a safe and comfortable position until the seizure is over. Once the seizure concludes, family caregivers should then spend a few hours with their loved one as he or she recovers.
Even though some types of seizures may not be as alarming as others, they can still be scary for family caregivers, and that kind of stress can have a cumulative effect. In Richmond, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.
3. Make a List of Medications
Seniors who take any prescription medications should keep a list of those drugs with them at all times. At the top of the list, anticonvulsant medications should be highlighted to help strangers identify what’s taking place during a seizure. In addition to the names of the medications, the list should also have short descriptions of what they look like and how often they should be taken.
4. Buy an Electronic Pill Case
It can be dangerous to miss even a single dose of anti-seizure medication. In addition to setting reminders on your loved one’s phone, you may also want to invest in an electronic pill case. These small devices can be programmed to chime whenever the next set of pills must be taken. The alarm will then get louder until the case is opened and the medication is taken.
Homecare providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
5. Create a Strict Daily Routine
Every senior has different triggers, which is why they need to have fixed daily routines that limit exposure to those triggers. One study funded by the Epilepsy Foundation found that seniors were able to reduce the frequency and severity of their seizures by maintaining strict sleep schedules and exercising for 30 minutes every day. Seniors who have epilepsy should also speak with registered nutritionists to see if they have any deficiencies that need to be addressed.
Epilepsy is one of many health issues that may arise as seniors age. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elderly home care. Richmond families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Assisting Hands Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call one of our friendly Care Specialists today to learn more about our customized care plans.
