Preparing nutritious recipes can help keep seniors healthy during the winter. Maintaining good nutrition can boost immunity and help ward off ailments.

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Geriatrics is the branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of elderly adults. Geriatric care aims to promote well-being by preventing and treating diseases, disabilities, and everyday-life concerns for older adults. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatric physician or geriatric care manager; rather, this decision is determined by the individual patient’s needs, and the assessment of a medical professional or care-management specialist. It is important to note the difference between geriatrics, the care of aged people, and gerontology, which is the study of the aging process itself.

The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), formerly National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of individuals who require geriatric care. The ALCA coined the term “Aging Life Care” and defines it as “… a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges.”

Learn more about Aging Life Care

Aging Life Care is a trademark of the Aging Life Care Association. Only ALCA Members are authorized to use this term to identify their services.

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Technology can be a useful aid in helping seniors with various tasks so that they can remain independent and at home.

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The two most under-diagnosed and under-treated mental illnesses among the elderly population are depression and anxiety. There are particular signs and symptoms of these disorders that are important to monitor, according to Dr. Jennifer Stelter, PsyD and Director of Operations of Clinical Programs for The Alden Network.

If your loved one is no longer engaging in the day-to-day activities that they used to enjoy, you should probably be concerned about possible depression. Other symptoms include sad facial expressions, tearfulness, increases or decreases in appetite, increases or decreases in the amount of sleep they get, irritability, loss of energy, feelings of guilt and difficulties with concentration that appear to cause forgetfulness and may mimic dementia.

In addition, if they begin to express the notion that they no longer have anything to live for or would rather join their deceased loved ones, there is certainly a need for a mental health evaluation, Dr. Stelter stated.

Anxiety is another often-missed mental malady among the elderly. Those suffering from anxiety may appear irritable, frustrated or angry. They may start pacing or, when seated, rocking. Their level of worry, especially about their own health, may increase, even causing intestinal distress like diarrhea or constipation. They may also become hyper-verbal.

“Depression and anxiety among the elderly is not normal. No matter their age, everyone should be able to have the highest quality of life possible,” Dr. Stelter emphasized, hypothesizing that there is still an unfortunate stigma about mental illness that prevents people from seeking help, especially among older adults.

That is why The Alden Network’s rehabilitation and health care centers and other providers of senior housing and healthcare assess new patients’ mental wellness upon admission, she explained.

But if your loved one is not soon going to a post-acute rehabilitation center like Alden for short-term therapy or moving to a long-term care facility and you detect changes in their attitude and social interaction, Dr. Stelter recommends talking to their physician, mentioning the issues you notice and asking them to rule out medical causes for the changes.

“Certain medications and medical/physical conditions can cause different types of personality changes. So, ask for a thorough physical, including blood and urine work, to rule out any physical problem that may be contributing to what you are observing,” she suggested. “And if nothing in the testing can explain the changes in your loved one, ask the physician to refer your loved one for a mental health screening.

“The screening process is very important because some older adults with depression issues can appear to have dementia. We call it pseudo-dementia and it is vital that these individuals be thoroughly assessed in order to receive the help they need,” Dr. Stelter stated.

“As we age, our brain chemistry changes and, therefore, a chemical imbalance may be the cause of depression,” said Dr. Stelter. “Depression or anxiety in someone who has never experienced it in the past can also be situational. It may be caused by losses of their mate, other family members and friends, or by the transition to retirement after a busy career or the transition to a new housing situation.”

When this type of situational depression or anxiety is diagnosed, Dr. Stelter said that she usually first suggests one-on-one therapy, group counseling or support groups. If those interventions do not work or are not a viable alternative for some reason, individuals may want to speak with their physician about a more formal psychiatric management program.

This article was curated from dailyherald.com.

Aging Life Care is a personalized and holistic solution to caring for older adults. Aging Life Care Professionals assist the elderly and their families in managing care, finding resources, making decisions, and adjusting to the life changes that come with aging. The goal is to help improve the person’s quality of life and to minimize the impact and stress on family caregivers.

What is an Aging Life Care Professional?

An Aging Life Care Professional is a health and human-services specialist who provides support, guidance, and advocacy for elderly adults as well as the families, friends, legal guardians, and others who are responsible for the care of an older person. A certified Aging Life Care Professional is educated and/or experienced in fields related to care management and can help families make decisions about long-term care. Aging Life Care Professionals provide help in many areas such as choosing in-home care or an assisted-living facility, selecting and monitoring care services, medical management, social activities, and safety/security. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.

Aging Life Care is a trademark of the Aging Life Care Association. Only ALCA Members are authorized to use this term to identify their services.

The current trend for older adults shows that this population is living longer and healthier than ever before in history leading to drastic growth in this sector. As we age it is important to think of ourselves as a whole and strive for fulfillment in numerous areas: emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, spiritually.

Getting Help and Support

There are many types of programs and services, both public and private, designed to ease the burden and allow for successful aging, such as programs for employment, housing, income maintenance, medical care, and social services.

Health Related Issues

The majority of older adults have multiple chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis; this heightens an individual’s risk for complications. It can be helpful to reduce the risk of complications by:

• Fully understanding treatment options
• Determining treatment outcomes that are important
• Speaking up immediately if you have complications
• Voicing concerns if a treatment plan is too complicated to manage