Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing home care for elders and seniors. Call (512) 347-9207.

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is loosely defined as the heart’s inability to pump enough blood as required by the body to function properly. There are many potential causes of this often deadly disease, many of which seniors are more susceptible to contracting due to the natural aging process. Conditions that may result in heart disease can be silent killers, as they often are not detected until damage has already occurred. Causes of heart disease include both heart related problems, and diseases which may appear unrelated to the heart but can have severe consequences.

Heart Problems Causing Heart Failure

• Coronary Artery Disease – most common form of heart disease and the most common cause of heart failure.  Occurs when there is a build up of fatty deposits, which narrows the arteries. This can deprive areas of the heart muscles of oxygen creating greater weakness.
• Heart attack – plaque formed by fatty deposits in the arteries rupture, creating a back flow of blood clots to the heart.
• Faculty heart valves – healthy valves are forced to work overtime to make up from the lack of blood flow from the faulty valve.
• Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle) – diseases, infections, alcohol and drug abuse can all damage the heart muscle.
• Myocarditus (inflammation of the heart muscle) – often caused by a virus.
• Congenital heart defects – valves or chambers in the heart may not form correctly at birth, which requires the healthy parts of the heart to work overtime.
• Heart arrythmias – the heart beats too fast, which creates extra work.

Aging Factors and Other Illnesses Causing Heart Failure

• High blood pressure (hypertension) – requires that the heart work overtime to pump the blood through the body.
• Diabetes
• Severe anemia
• Hyperthyroidism
• Emphysema
• Lupus
• Hemochromotosis
• Viruses that attack the heart muscle, severe infections, allergic reactions, blood clots in the lungs, and certain medications might cause acute heart failure.

If you or an important elder in your life have a family history which includes any of the above diseases or ailments, ensure these issues are discussed with your family doctor so your risk of heart failure can be assessed and treated. The potential for heart failure doesn’t have to be a looming fear, with proper diagnosis and treatment, effects can’t be reversed but severe damage can be prevented. Remember, a healthy life means a healthy heart, so take care of yourself through a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, and you will be rolling in the benefits.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-failure/DS00061/DSECTION=causes

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing home care for elders and seniors. Call (512) 347-9207.

Interview Questions Dr. Devere

Q: Dr. Devere, you are a doctor in Austin who specializes in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Neurology.  May we ask you some questions about health care that we are often asked and have often heard answered poorly by others?
A: Yes, you may.

Q: Regarding Trends in Health of the Elderly: In addition to good nutrition, a multi-vitamin, and proper hygiene, what are some additional tips that Senior citizens can use to stay healthy throughout the year?

A: To maintain Brain Health, it is important to exercise physically and keep your brain active by reading, gardening, games and socialization.  Be sure you don’t have untreated high cholesterol, high blood pressure or early diabetes.

Q: Regarding Symptoms and Diagnosis: One of the most commonly asked questions that our readers ask is, “What are the symptoms of dementia and/or Alzheimer’s?”  We want to ask a greater question: What at-home, non-professional tools can we use to recognize symptoms of numerous elder related illness, disease, and disorder?  How will we separate true health issues from basic age-related decline?

A: If caregivers or friends recognize that a person’s memory is abnormal and especially if it interferes with Basic Daily activity, which is not normal,  they should be evaluated by a physician.  Not all memory loss is Alzheimer’s.  Most conditions causing memory loss are treatable, including Alzheimer’s

Q: Regarding Later-life Housing: The statistics say that a fraction of people pass away suddenly/unexpectedly; it is far more likely that we will all have a normal, healthy decline.  This means that people will likely spend their waning years at home or in some form of skilled nursing or assisted living institution.  AARP tells that people have a preference to stay in their homes; not a surprise to anyone, but as living one one’s own becomes increasingly difficult, what steps can they take to age in place successfully?

A: People with physical and/or cognitive abnormalities will likely need help from their spouses or family.  Help with basic home Activities and meds can be obtained by hiring aides through Home Care and Companionship Service Agencies.  Assisted Living facilities with or without a spouse are available.  Nursing Homes really should be a last resort if the above considerations fail.

Q: Thank you Dr. Devere.  May our readers continue to ask questions of you?
A: Yes, Absolutely.  They can reach me at 1200 Lakeway Dr # 8, Lakeway, TX 78734 and (512) 261-7909

Home Instead Senior Care Austin - Providing home care for elders and seniors. Call (512) 347-9207.

In addition to assistive devices which can better enable struggling seniors to hear, others can help them by using simple communication methods to increase not only hearing, but comprehension.  Here are some tips to ensure communication in a way that benefits a struggling senior:

-  Converse in a quiet environment (no background noises from traffic, music, television, or others engaged in conversation)
-  When speaking with a senior, always ensure you lower the pitch of your voice, since high frequency sounds are the first ones to go ( a condition referred to as presbycusis)
-  Speak slowly, and remain conscious of the pace since seniors can’t process information and listen as fast as younger people
-  Ensure that the older adult is actively engaged and able to hear what you are saying, even by stopping to confirm information
-  Maintain eye contact and make use of non-verbal signals so that your body language supplements your speech
-  Keep in mind that shouting or raising your voice is not usually beneficial for seniors with hearing loss
-  Make sure your speech is clear and your words are enunciated
-  Ensure there is appropriate lighting in the environment  and  attempt to eliminate drastic changes in lighting to aid with vision
-  Provide seniors with written materials and text that are easy to read, with large print
-  Be aware it is easier for seniors to interpret visual cues during the day, when exposed to natural light

When hearing loss occurs, it becomes a family affair. If someone you know is nervous about assistive devices, go with them to consult with an audiologist and help with the decision, and do everything you can through communication to increase their overall quality of life as it relates to hearing.

Source:
 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/info_sheets/hearing_loss/index.htm