Anemia is a health issue in which there aren’t enough red blood cells circulating in your senior’s blood. That is a problem because red blood cells are the ones that carry oxygen throughout the body. Low levels of red blood cells can lead to serious fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, cold extremities, and more. If your senior has been diagnosed with anemia, she needs to follow her doctor’s orders for recovering as much as possible.
Following a Recommended Diet
Home Care Syosset, NY: Seniors and Anemia
Your elderly family member’s doctor may have recommended some dietary changes to help with her anemia. It’s never easy to make dietary changes, and your elderly family member may be trying to eat iron-rich foods that are not familiar to her. Balancing a new diet can throw off her routines, which is where home care providers can offer some help.
Medication Reminders
Another common concern is taking new medications and, more importantly, remembering to take them. Your elderly family member may also need to take her medications at specific times or with food. Having reminders to follow those instructions as closely as possible can make all the difference in keeping your senior on track to deal with her anemia properly.
Watching for New Symptoms
Anemia can bring with it some side effects and symptoms that aren’t comfortable. When you factor in side effects from new medications, your elderly family member can have a lot going on. Elder care providers can be on the lookout for new and worsening symptoms so that you can communicate that information accurately to her doctor.
Helping Around the House
Severe anemia can sap your elderly family member’s energy. Having home care providers handling daily tasks around the house ensures that your senior’s home is clean and safe, which is really important. As your elderly family member needs more or less help, caregivers can adjust what they do for her.
Assisting with Transportation
Your elderly family member may be having more doctor’s appointments than usual as she gets her anemia in check. If she’s not driving any longer, it can be a huge relief to know that home care providers are getting your senior safely where she needs to go. And it’s also great for your elderly family member to be able to go wherever she needs or wants to go.
Offering Emotional Support
Emotional support is also a big deal, especially if your elderly family member is having a difficult time recuperating. Knowing that there’s someone there to help her to feel less alone can do so much for both of you. It can also help your senior to feel more connected to the world around her. And when you need respite time, it’s crucial to know that there’s someone there with your senior.
Whether anemia is a primary health issue or a secondary one due to other health concerns, it’s vital that your elderly family member does all the right things to help get herself back on a healthy track. Having help can ensure that her doctors have accurate information about what she’s experiencing to make sure her care plan covers her needs.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Care in Syosset, NY please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722