7 In Home Care Benefits for Seniors in the Burlington, VT Area Living with Anemia

Has your loved one recently been told by a medical professional that they have anemia? This may leave you and your loved one concerned about what to do, or who to ask for assistance.

Anemia is common in aging adults; anemia is a condition that occurs when sufficient healthy red blood cells are unavailable to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s organs. Common symptoms are feeling feel cold, weak, tired, dizzy, or irritable. Anemia is most often caused by low iron levels in the body that lead to iron-deficiency anemia.

If left untreated, anemia can lead to other more serious problems and conditions. There are many ways to ensure your loved one is taking care of their symptoms, such as in home care.

Anemia Symptoms in Seniors

While most cases of anemia are people who are asymptomatic, anemia is also often overshadowed by other health conditions. Because of this, aging adults tend to develop numerous other symptoms and complications including:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Pale or yellow skin
• Irregular heartbeat
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Increased risk of depression, dementia, and falls
• Decreased mobility
• Decreased quality of life

As previously stated, anemia is common in older adults. Studies have shown that around 17% of Americans aged 60 and older are anemic.

If you are worried about a loved one showing signs of anemia, make an appointment with their doctor right away. A doctor may suggest hiring an in home care provider to help your loved one with their symptoms.

In Home Care Can Help Manage Anemia Symptoms for Seniors

It is vital to manage anemia and its symptoms to retain a high quality of life. This can be difficult for those who have anemia as well as for their family members that may be helping them—especially when there are other health conditions they may be focused on.

Thankfully, you can reach out to Visiting Angels for hire a senior care provider for in home care assistance. In home caregivers can provide your senior with assistance managing their symptoms, while helping them age at home safely. Visiting Angels’ in-home caregivers can provide the following services to help your elderly loved one:

1. Medication reminders
   Many seniors are on a medication schedule that require specific times to have medicine taken. Following these schedules can be difficult for seniors to follow, which is why in home care providers help remind seniors when it is time to take their medicine.
2. Understanding and following a diet
   Most often doctors will suggest dietary changes, encouraging iron rich food as well as supplements and medications. In home care providers can be there to endure your loved one is indulging in the proper foods, as well as that their cabinets are stocked, and food is prepared.
3. Help around the home
   Anemia symptoms can make everyday house chores, such as meal preparation, laundry, and general cleaning, more challenging than normal. When using in home care services seniors can have assistance with light housekeeping duties, such as cleaning hard-to-reach spaces or meal prep. Our older seniors, that are more seriously impaired, have shown that having an in-home caregiver around is beneficial for personal care assistance, including transferring, toileting, and dressing.
4. Transportation and scheduling assistance
   Making sure your loved one makes it to appointments on time is vital. A caregiver is available to tracks appointments as well as provide transportation to and from appointments.
5. Symptom monitoring
   In home caregivers can monitor and track symptoms, as well as their frequency.; this comes in handy for when doctors need to know more details about any symptoms. A caregiver can also notice and track worsening symptoms, such as frequent loss of balance or dizziness, and report these to the care team, family and doctors.
6. Emotional support and socialization
   Sadly, it is common for senior loneliness and depression to increase for older adults with anemia. In home care providers are there to offer companionship to keep your loved one less lonely and withdrawn. They are also able to let you and the care team if there is any significant changes in their mood.
7. Respite care for primary caregivers
   It is stressful taking care of yourself and a loved one, that stress can lead to tension within the family. In-home caregivers offer respite care so that family caregivers can relieve any stress.

If you want more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, call 802-862-8777 to schedule a free consultation.