Important Health Screenings for Seniors Over 75

If your elderly loved one is over 75, it’s important to make sure that they get regular screenings to identify potential health concerns that impact older adults. When it comes to caring for the elderly, prevention is an important way to ensure good physical and mental health. Common concerns to watch out for in elderly people include:

Balance disorders

Those who provide care for seniors should understand that balance concerns can lead to falls and fall-related injuries, which can be devastating for an older individual. If your elderly parent indicates that they feel off-balance or dizzy at any point, it’s important to get to the root of problem in order to protect them. Don’t wait until a serious fall happens to take action.

Memory issues

As your senior ages, it’s common to see some degree of cognitive decline. However, it’s necessary to monitor this kind of decline in order to take action before the problem becomes dramatic. If your senior sometimes forgets the name of a friend’s grandchild or a restaurant you went to together last month, this is perfectly acceptable. However, if they have begun to forget how to get to routine places such as the drug store or the grocery store, or they’ve begun to forget how to operate everyday items like the microwave, it’s time to seek help.

In many instances, a person’s memory can change quickly, so it’s important to keep a watchful eye to remain aware of significant decline. Even if you suspect that the kind of cognitive decline that your loved one is showing is normal for their age, it’s wise to take them in to a doctor who can assess the situation further and make necessary recommendations about how to proceed.

Poor nutrition

Many of the health problems an older individual experiences actually stem from poor nutrition. As your elderly loved one ages, their sense of taste and smell may dull, leaving food looking unappetizing. Learn about your senior’s daily eating habits and observe them at mealtime to ward off concerns associated with poor nutrition. Also take a look around their refrigerator and pantry. If it’s looking sparse or is stocked with potato chips and candy, it’s time to take action so that they can remain healthy and strong.