Hearing

Hearing tends to deteriorate naturally as we grow old. It may not be noticeable until about 60 years of age or so. Nearly 60% of people over the age of 60 years have hearing deficit due to the ageing process.

Hearing loss could be due to many different reasons such as aging, wax build up, exposure to very loud noise, viral or bacterial infection, tumours, heart conditions or strokes, heredity, head injury, etc.

Common hearing problems are

• Tinnitus: accompanies many forms of hearing loss, including those that sometimes come with aging. People with tinnitus may hear a ringing, roaring, or some other noise inside their ears.
• Conductive hearing loss happens when something blocks the sounds that are carried from the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to the inner ear.

What will help you depends on your hearing problem. Some common solutions include:

• Hearing aids.A hearing aid is designed to amplify sounds and make them louder. The amount of amplification you need depends on the type and degree of your hearing loss. Hearing aids will amplify all sounds, but are particularly designed to cope with the sounds that make up speech. Sounds are made up of different pitches or ‘frequencies’.A hearing aid will not restore your hearing to normal, or ‘cure’ your deafness. It is simply an ‘aid to hearing’.
• Assistive/Adaptive Devices. There are many products that can help you live well with less-than-perfect hearing. The list below includes some examples of the many choices:
  • Telephone amplifying devices
  • TV and radio listening systems
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Alerts such as doorbells, smoke detectors, and alarm clocks
• Cochlear implants. If your deafness is severe, a doctor may suggest cochlear implants. In this surgery, the doctor puts a small electronic device under the skin behind the ear. The device sends the message past the non-working part of the inner ear and on to the brain.

For more information log on to our website Old Age Solutions

IMMUNITY

For the aging population diseases are a concern as they take longer to recover from them and most of the times then recovery is incomplete leading to serious consequences. The chances of suffering from an infectious disease (such as pneumonia, influenza), cancer, diabetes increases. The main link between these diseases is loss of immunity. Our immune system protects us from the harm of harmful bacteria or foreign substances. Our immune system produces antibodies that fight against the harmful substances.

As we grow older, our immune system changes and does not work as well because:

• It takes longer to respond: This increases risk of getting sick. Flu shots or other vaccines may not work as well or protect you for as long as expected.
• Autoimmune disorder may get developed: This is a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissues.
• Healing becomes slower:the numbers of immune cells that help the body to heal are fewer.
• The ability of the immune system's to detect and correct cell defects also declines: This can result in an increase in the risk of cancer.

To decrease the risks related to aging and the immune system one must:

• Get the flu and pneumonia vaccines and any other vaccines recommended by your health care provider regularly.
• Do plenty of exercise. Exercise helps boost our immune system.
• Eat health foods. A balanced diet keeps our immune system strong.
• Smoking weakens our immune system. Quit smoking.
• Limit the intake of alcohol. Ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe for you.
• Take safety measures to prevent falls and injuries. A weak immune system can slow healing from falls and injuries.

For more information on Influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and Tetanus log on to our website Old Age Solutions

Arthritis

Arthritis or inflammation of the joints is a common problem in advancing years and is one of the three most common health problems in older people. There are several types of arthritis, among which osteoarthritis is the most common. The most common forms of arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Gout, etc. Osteoarthritis, strictly speaking, is not an inflammatory condition but an age-related degenerative disease. This condition strikes the weight-bearing joints of lower limbs, neck and back along with those of the hands. Pain may come and go and can vary from mild to severe. Most forms of arthritis are neither preventable nor curable. The goal of treatment of arthritis is to relieve pain and restore the functions in the affected joints.

The following factors may contribute towards a higher arthritis risk:

• Your genetic makeup or family history
• A physically demanding job, especially one with repetitive movements
• A previous injury
• Age
• Some infections or allergic reactions may cause short-term arthritis. When it is caused by an infection it is known as "reactive arthritis"
• For a number of people certain foods can either bring on arthritis symptoms, or make existing ones worse
• Obesity, or being overweight which places extra strain on joints
• Arthritis may also be caused by autoimmune disease.

Common Warning Signs of Arthritis

• Swelling in one or more joint(s)
• Morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes or longer
• Pain while climbing stairs
• Sudden, excruciating pain in a big toe
• Fatigue, flu-like symptoms
• Odd-looking bumps on fingers
• Achy hard to use joints
• Joint pain or tenderness that is constant or that comes and goes
• Not being able to move a joint in the normal way
• Redness or warmth in a joint
• Weight loss, fever, or weakness and joint pain that can’t be explained

Treatment schedule of arthritis includes rest, weight reduction, physiotherapy, exercise and drug therapy to relieve pain. Arthritis medicines are among the most commonly used medicines by older people. Among all pain killers non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the ones most frequently prescribed. For more information log on to our website Old Age Solutions

BONES HEALTH AFTER THE AGE OF 65

As we grow older, our bones and muscles start to weaken and lose their strength. A lot of seniors suffer from osteoporosis or are at risk of suffering from it.As we grow older, our bones and muscles start to weaken and lose their strength. A lot of seniors suffer from osteoporosis or are at risk of suffering from it. When old bones start to be lost at a faster rate than new bones can be formed to replace them. In some men, and more frequently women, this bone-loss is very severe. Their bones become weak, fragile and liable to break easily. This condition is known as osteoporosis.

Activity levels tend to drop as we get older because of various reasons such as lack of energy, Fear of falling or hurting yourself, joint pain, stiffness, etc. Level of activity drops and this causes the muscles and bones to weaken increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

One in four women and one in eight men over 60 years of age suffers a fracture due to osteoporosis. Bones at the highest risk of fracture are the hip, spine and wrist. Women are at a much higher risk because during and after the menopause they experience rapid bone-loss following reduction in female hormone oestrogen. Bone-loss at this stage can be prevented by hormone replacement therapy. Apart from causing pain, fractures can make independent living difficult and may cause long-term problems with mobility. We are not certain about the exact number of Indians having osteoporosis. In view of the general poor nutritional status and faulty lifestyles it is expected that the number may be very high. There are some simple measures one can take to prevent fractures whatever the age. As you grow older, you are more likely to have a fall; so it is important to take a look at your home to make it as safe as possible. Some simple, practical steps you could take are the following:

• Be careful about anything that might make you trip or slip.
• Keep objects of everyday use at a reasonable height to avoid reaching or bending.
• Ensure well-lit corridors and staircases regular vision tests will ensure that your sight is adequate.
• Eat meals rich in calcium and vitamin D.
• Exercises that improve balance and coordination should also be done such as Yoga or tai chi.
• Avoid sitting for long stretches. Get up and walk a little in every 20-30 minutes.
• Maintain appropriate weight
• Go for regular check-ups of Calcium and vitamin D.
• Regular eye and hearing ability check-ups should also be part of lives of people above 60.
• Take medication regularly.

For more information on bone health and other physical health log on to our website Old Age Solutions

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BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60–70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers, such as 120/80, which is considered as the average BP reading for adults. However, a slightly higher or lower reading (for either number) is not necessarily abnormal. High blood pressure usually does not has any symptoms and is therefore called a silent killer. Most people may not know they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. In many seniors with high blood pressure, a single specific cause is not known. This is called essential or primary high blood pressure. In some people, high blood pressure is the result of another medical problem or medicine. When the cause is known, this is called secondary high blood pressure. Risk factors for high blood that caregivers can watch for include: • Overweight • A family history of high blood pressure • Pre-hypertension (that is, blood pressure in the 120–139/80–89 mmHg range) • Men over age 45 • Women over 55 • Other things that can raise blood pressure include: • Eating too much salt • Drinking too much alcohol • Not getting enough potassium in your diet • Not doing enough physical activity • Taking certain medicines • Having long-lasting stress • Smoking (smoking can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure) High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can result into: • Having a stroke • Developing kidney damage • Heart disease and many other serious health problems. • Dizziness • Faint and may consequently fall and incur an injury • When the kidneys don’t function properly, you may excrete too much calcium in your urine. If not enough calcium remains in circulation for your bones, bone density decreases, increasing your risk for osteoporosis. Bones become weak, brittle, and more prone to fractures and breaks. • Stressed Out Arteries and Blood Vessels If you have high blood pressure, your healthcare professional will recommend that you • lower the amount of salt in your diet, • take more exercise, • stop smoking if you smoke, • lose weight if you are overweight • eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products • Limiting alcohol intake • If these measures do not work well enough, might also suggest that you take certain medications to lower your blood pressure to a safe level. Blood pressure medications should be started slowly in older people and increased gradually, to avoid any sudden drop in blood pressure levels. Medicines will control blood pressure, but they cannot cure it. Your elderly will need to take blood pressure medicine for a long time. For more tips log on to our website http://oldagesolutions.org

Indoor Recreation

Hello there seniors!
If you're looking for things to do without having to leave your home then today’s blog will be of great help to you. Some of the amazing indoor recreational activities are:

• Puzzles:A regular feature in the newspaper everyday, puzzles have a capacity to involve you for hours together, as they can be very addictive.
• Scrapbooking: Gathering your photos and mementos together in one place is a fun walk down memory lane. Even better, it helps you organize your treasures.
• Journaling: Try writing your thoughts down in a book for emotional therapy or as creative exercise. Who knows? You might even discover a hidden talent for writing. Maybe the next great American novel is hiding in your head!
• Tap dancing: Who says indoor activities have to be sedentary? Put on those dancing shoes and boogie!
• Board Games: Who said board games are for children? If you do have a companion, whether it is a partner, friend, neighbour, servant, or a grandchild who is willing, playing Ludo, Carrom, chess, Chinese checkers and even cards is a great idea.
• Breakfast, lunch, or dinner club: Gather a group of friends and meet on a regular basis for meals and good conversation.
• Jewellery making: Even if you're a beginner, it's easy and fun to string beads onto cord to make necklaces and bracelets. After you've mastered the basics, you can expand your skill set.
• Zumba Gold: If tap dancing isn't your thing, but you still love dancing, sweating, and burning calories, try Zumba Gold. Zumba's a high energy Latin-inspired dance workout, and the Gold variety was designed with seniors in mind. You can find these classes at gyms, community centers, and dance schools.
• Take a computer class at your local college or university: Find out what the big deal is with social networking, how to burn CDs, how to purchase the best computer, and more.
• Work on your memoir or learn to write poetry: You can locate how-to books at your local library or book store or enrol in a class that will teach you the basics and get you started.

For more activities and recreation centres log on to our website Old Age Solutions