If you’re caretaking for an elderly parent or loved one,\u00a0both today and tomorrow are likely on your mind. It\u2019s a lot to juggle.<\/p>\n
To reduce overwhelm, it\u2019s often useful to get a clear picture of where to point your attention. To help, here are the six challenges facing seniors today. Plus, don\u2019t miss our tip on where to focus or find help for each one.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s jump in.<\/p>\n
Seniors living at home are considered particularly vulnerable to medication errors.<\/p>\n
Consider that 88.9% of Americans 65 and older have taken at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days. Seniors often take multiple medications for multiple conditions, prescribed by multiple physicians. Specifically, 66.4% have taken 3 or more, and 41.9% have taken 5 or more.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a lot of potential for medication errors. In fact, 15% of older patients arrive at offices, hospitals, and extended care facilities due to taking medications improperly.<\/a><\/p>\n Tip: Try this medication chart<\/a> to reduce errors by keeping your elderly parents\u2019 medicine on track.<\/p>\n Regular exercise is essential for seniors.<\/p>\n The CDC recommends two types of physical activity weekly to improve health: aerobic and muscle strengthening. This includes moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days a week, and muscle strengthening for two or more days a week to work all major muscle groups. Yet just 13.9% of Americans 65 and older meet those guidelines.<\/a><\/p>\n Tip: Take this fitness and physical needs quiz<\/a> to find out if your loved one is getting enough exercise.<\/p>\n Poor eating habits lead to multiple health problems in seniors.<\/p>\n Many seniors fail to get proper nutrients in the form of lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables. This is at least in part because 30% of seniors skip at least one meal a day. Not getting enough protein puts seniors at risk for loss of muscle mass \u2014 called sarcopenia \u2014 which affects about 30% of adults over the age of 60.<\/a><\/p>\n Tip: Take this nutrition needs quiz<\/a> to discover whether your elderly parent is eating right.<\/p>\n Feeling isolated affects more than emotional health. The reality: loneliness and isolation are linked to a 29% increase of a heart attack or angina, and a 32% heightened risk of having a stroke.<\/p>\n It\u2019s more common in seniors than you might realize: did you know that older people in the U.S. are more likely to live alone<\/a> than anywhere else in the world? And that disparity is only growing. There are 7.1 million single person households ages 65-74 today \u2014 up 51% since 2010.<\/p>\n Tip: Take this isolation considerations quiz<\/a> to pinpoint whether your loved one may be at risk.<\/p>\n The prevalence of both elder scams and abuse is probably the hardest reality we hear about from residents.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve seen that scammers will stop at nothing to steal from our parents and grandparents. From phony tech support to \u201cyour grandchild is in trouble\u201d calls, these predators keep finding new ways to hurt them.<\/p>\n In addition to scams, elder abuse \u2014 both physical and mental \u2014 is on the rise. 21.5% of older persons report elder abuse today, up from 83.6% from before the pandemic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tip: Help protect your loved ones by reading this blog<\/a>: five statistics about elderly scams everyone should know.<\/p>\n Have you mapped out a plan with your parents to address what will be done as they age? From the numbers, we can see that if you haven\u2019t, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n 53% of adult children anticipate that talking through senior care options with their loved ones will be difficult. Without a clear conversation, many aging seniors assume or \u201cexpect\u201d family members will take care of them. 27% expect their spouse to take care of them, while 20% expect their family members to<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat can you do? <\/i>Start here:<\/i><\/h3>\n
#2 Poor Health and Fitness<\/h2>\n
What can you do? Start here:<\/i><\/h3>\n
#3 Poor Nutrition<\/h2>\n
What can you do? Start here:<\/i><\/h3>\n
#4 Isolation<\/h2>\n
What can you do? Start here:<\/i><\/h3>\n
# 5 Risk of Elder Scams and Abuse<\/h2>\n
What can you do? Start here:<\/i><\/h3>\n
# 6 Lack of Planning<\/h2>\n
What can you do? Start here:<\/em><\/h3>\n