Memory loss and dementia are common among aging adults. However, there are some factors that can speed up the rate of cognitive degeneration and make your senior loved one highly susceptible to dementia. Here are a few things that may be causing your senior loved one’s brain function to deteriorate faster than you know.
1. Other Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions that are prevalent in seniors, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and high blood pressure, have been linked to increased cognitive impairment. If not treated, these medical conditions can speed up memory loss. You can assist your loved one by reminding him or her to take medications on time and consulting regularly with his or her physician.
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 at-home care. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
2. Depression
Seniors with untreated depression are more susceptible to cognitive impairment than those who don’t have depression or those who do and receive appropriate treatment, whether in the form of medication or therapy. You can help your loved one by watching out for signs of depression, such as loss of appetite and insomnia, and seeking professional help if you believe he or she is depressed.
3. Genetics
While genetics cannot be changed, you can increase your knowledge and plan ahead. Do your best to get a family history, especially if your loved one’s parents and grandparents lived to be older than 65. This information will let you know what to expect, and it can be useful to your loved one’s physician in terms of creating long-term plans to address cognitive impairment.
If your loved one needs help to live at home in safety and comfort, a professional caregiver can be a wonderful resource. In Richmond, home care 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.
4. Medication Side Effects
Some medications can play a role in speeding up cognitive decline, including beta-blockers, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and some antibiotics. The good news is that the cognitive decline attributed to medications can often be reversed by discontinuing the medication. Your loved one should only stop taking a medication if his or her doctor advises it. However, if you’re concerned one of your loved one’s medicines is causing cognitive decline, let the doctor know.
Caring for seniors with cognitive impairment, memory loss, or dementia can be a challenge for families. For dementia care Richmond families can count on, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our compassionate caregivers use mental and social stimulation to help seniors stave off the progression of dementia, and they can also assist with a wide variety of important everyday tasks, including bathing, grooming, exercise, and cooking. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (804) 600-0002.
