Upwards of 8 out of 10 senior citizens have a minimum of one chronic health condition. Your mom went to the doctor and learned she needs to take better care of herself. Whether she's been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, she needs to follow doctor's recommendations. Has she really heard what her doctor said?
You should make sure your mom puts you down as a person who can ask medical questions. You should be able to discuss her test results. You can take notes and know what your mom should be doing to improve her health.
Why Didn't She Hear Her Doctor?
When you get a diagnosis that you have a chronic health condition, shock sets in. Your mom may not have heard because she was stunned. She likely will get printouts of advice. She'll be given prescriptions. She may not immediately think of questions to ask.
You can sit down with her in her home and see what she does and doesn't understand. Jot a list of questions to ask on her behalf. As she gets used to the fact that her health has changed, she may want to do her own research and come up with additional questions. Make sure she researches on legitimate websites and notes any questions she has.
You should join her at her next doctor's appointment. She may like having a second person there for emotional support.
What Else Can You Do to Help?
Go through her prescription medications. Research the common side effects and discuss them with her. See if there are foods or beverages she shouldn't eat or drink after taking her medications. See if they should be taken in the morning or at night and on a full or empty stomach.
If she's been given a new diet to follow, make sure her kitchen is rid of foods she can no longer eat. Unopened nonperishable foods can go to a food shelf. Frozen and refrigerated items should be boxed up to go home with you or into the trash or compost.
Make sure your mom is able to cook meals and snacks that meet her new dietary restrictions. If cooking these meals is a problem, bring in elder care services to prepare meals for her. Elder care providers can also remind her when to take her medications. If transportation is a problem for you, caregivers can drive your mom to and from medical offices. Call today to learn more.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME ELDER CARE IN RIVER FOREST, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.
You should make sure your mom puts you down as a person who can ask medical questions. You should be able to discuss her test results. You can take notes and know what your mom should be doing to improve her health.
Why Didn't She Hear Her Doctor?
When you get a diagnosis that you have a chronic health condition, shock sets in. Your mom may not have heard because she was stunned. She likely will get printouts of advice. She'll be given prescriptions. She may not immediately think of questions to ask.
You can sit down with her in her home and see what she does and doesn't understand. Jot a list of questions to ask on her behalf. As she gets used to the fact that her health has changed, she may want to do her own research and come up with additional questions. Make sure she researches on legitimate websites and notes any questions she has.
You should join her at her next doctor's appointment. She may like having a second person there for emotional support.
What Else Can You Do to Help?
Go through her prescription medications. Research the common side effects and discuss them with her. See if there are foods or beverages she shouldn't eat or drink after taking her medications. See if they should be taken in the morning or at night and on a full or empty stomach.
If she's been given a new diet to follow, make sure her kitchen is rid of foods she can no longer eat. Unopened nonperishable foods can go to a food shelf. Frozen and refrigerated items should be boxed up to go home with you or into the trash or compost.
Make sure your mom is able to cook meals and snacks that meet her new dietary restrictions. If cooking these meals is a problem, bring in elder care services to prepare meals for her. Elder care providers can also remind her when to take her medications. If transportation is a problem for you, caregivers can drive your mom to and from medical offices. Call today to learn more.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME ELDER CARE IN RIVER FOREST, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.