Crohn’s disease is a long-term inflammatory disease of the bowel that can affect people of any age, even seniors. While the signs and challenges of Crohn’s disease are the same for people of all ages, seniors may have to deal with additional problems because of their age. Having services from senior home care providers can help a senior follow some guidelines.
Continue reading to learn more about how Crohn’s disease affects seniors, what signs to look for, treatment options, and how loved ones and senior home care can help.
Understanding How Crohn’s Disease Affects Seniors
People over the age of 60 who have Crohn’s disease often face unique problems. Specifically, chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal system makes it hard for nutrients to be absorbed, which can cause nutritional deficiencies and weight loss. While many seniors have managed their Chron’s Disease for years, common changes in their health may cause them to need to revisit their treatment plan, especially if they’re already struggling to maintain a healthy weight.
Signs and Symptoms of Chron’s Disease
Knowing the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease in seniors is important. Interestingly, the signs might not be much different than in younger people and may actually be milder, making it harder to detect. Everyday things to look for include pain in the abdomen, diarrhea that doesn’t go away, bleeding from the rectal area, weight loss, tiredness, and not wanting to eat. Seniors may also have pain in their joints, spots on their skin, and sores in their mouths. It’s important not to think these symptoms are just a normal part of aging. If loved ones or senior home care professionals have concerns, they should discuss them with seniors and encourage them to talk with their physician.
Helping Seniors Manage Chron’s Disease
It’s possible that changing their lifestyle can help seniors lower their symptoms. When working with seniors to help manage their Chron’s Disease, loved ones and senior home care team members should focus on the following:
Encourage seniors to eat a well-balanced diet. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins can help support digestive health in general. Seniors with Crohn’s disease should track the foods that cause them the most issues and focus on healthier options. Senior home care professionals can help with this by introducing seniors to new foods, helping them with meal planning, and even cooking.
Help seniors deal with stress. Long-term stress can cause flare-ups and make symptoms worse. Seniors should look into ways to deal with worry, like meditation, deep breathing, and hobbies or activities that help them relax.
Help seniors stay hydrated. Getting enough water helps digestion and keeps problems like dehydration and electrolyte issues from happening. Seniors already need to monitor their daily hydration. This is even more important when they’re diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Treatment Options for Chron’s Disease
As mentioned above, seniors with Crohn’s disease might effectively manage their diagnosis with lifestyle changes but may also need medication. Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammation and control symptoms. Seniors should work closely with a healthcare team of gastroenterologists and senior specialists to create a treatment plan that fits their general health needs.
Seniors with Crohn’s disease need a thorough treatment plan considering the unique problems of getting older. For seniors to successfully deal with the disease and improve their quality of life, they need a support system of loved ones and senior home care providers that know what to look for and how to help them manage Chron’s Disease flare-ups.
Source:https://www.everydayhealth.com/crohns-disease/living-with/crohns-management-tips-seniors/#:~:text=Crohn’s%20disease%20may%20produce%20milder,higher%20risk%20of%20colorectal%20cancers.
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/pdfs/olderadults.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1873959816300692
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304
https://www.healthline.com/health/crohns-disease
If you or a family member need to hire Senior Home Care Services in Margate FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. We provide service in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate, Pompano Beach, and Tamarac.
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