Staying safe while your elder is walking is one of the most important parts of a new exercise routine. These tips can help, especially if your senior likes to walk outside. 

The Right Gear Matters 

Your senior doesn’t need special gear in order to get a walking workout in, but the right gear can help her to stay safe. The most important gear is the right shoes. They need to fit well, with no gaps or sliding. They should also have a non-slip sole and they need to be comfortable. Getting a blister or other type of sore could present much bigger problems. Other than that, comfortable clothing and items like hats that can protect her from the sun are also good ideas. 

Lights, Signals, and Signs Can Keep Her Safe 

There are so many different types of signals, signs, and lights that are out in the wild of the pedestrian landscape. Many of them are meant for drivers, but pedestrians need to understand them, too. Make sure that your senior is aware of where to safely cross the road and what all of the various signs and signals in her area might mean for her as she walks. 

Make Sure She Looks Before Stepping 

Your senior probably already knows to look both ways before she crosses any intersections, but depending on how fast she walks and whether she uses any assistive devices, she might need to look more than that. Encourage your elderly family member to take her time when she’s getting ready to venture off a curb or into a crosswalk. She needs to make sure that if there’s a light, she’s got the right of way. Even if she does, though, she needs to look at least twice before she proceeds. 

A Walking Buddy Can Help 

It might be a good idea for your senior to walk with a buddy every time she goes out. That might be something that you two can do together, but it’s not always possible. If she has a friend or neighbor to walk with, that can help. Some seniors don’t have anyone to walk with, though. That’s when elder care providers can fill in as excellent walking buddies. The bonus is that elder care aides understand your senior’s unique needs. 

If a walking routine is new for your senior, make sure that you talk with her doctor about whether it’s a safe form of exercise for her. Starting out slowly and with shorter walks is a good idea, because she can always work up to more strenuous walking plans. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Chicago IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

Elder Care in Chicago IL

Did you know that half of adults over the age of 85 have age-related hearing loss?  Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, often happens gradually over time which leads to many elderly adults leaving it untreated and unresolved.  May is observed as National Better Hearing Month to help spread awareness about hearing loss and ear conditions and to encourage Americans to get their hearing checked and hearing loss treated.  While age-related hearing loss is very common, it doesn’t have to decrease an elderly adult’s quality of life.  There are many ways elderly adults and their caregivers can cope with presbycusis and continue to do the normal activities that they enjoy.  Read on for some more information about presbycusis and what you can do if you suspect that your loved one may be suffering from hearing loss.  

What causes presbycusis?

As adults age, their ears go through changes which can impair hearing.  These changes affect the blood flow to the inner ear, structures of the inner ear, the hearing nerve, and even the way that the brain processes sounds and speech.  Elderly adults may notice that their hearing loss begins slowly and continues to get worse as the years go on.  Elderly adults with diabetes, poor circulation, or who are taking certain medications may notice that their age-related hearing loss is worse.  In addition, elderly adults who have had a lot of exposure to loud noises over the course of their lifetime (factory or construction workers, musicians, airport workers, etc.) may experience more pronounced hearing loss.

How does hearing loss affect my loved one’s life?

Untreated hearing loss can lead to decreased quality of life.  Elderly adults with hearing loss my feel left out of conversations and social activities and have a tendency to withdraw socially.  They also may experience depression, sadness, and anxiety, and find that their personal relationships are suffering.  For these reasons, it is important for caregivers to encourage their loved one to visit an audiologist if they suspect that hearing loss is causing a decrease in their quality of life.

How is prebycusis treated?

​While prebycusis cannot be cured or reversed, elderly adults who are experiencing hearing loss can get it treated by wearing hearing aids.  Todays hearing aids are constantly getting more and more technologically advanced and more effective.  When elderly adults use hearing aids to improve their hearing, they will notice that they will be able to enjoy social activities again and have a better quality of life.  

Source:  http://audiology-web.s3.amazonaws.com/migrated/AgeRelated_hearingLoss.pdf_53998b3c133824.63176851.pdf

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Chicago, IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.