According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, chronic kidney disease affects one out of ten Canadians. Many people don't even know that they have chronic kidney disease. In order to keep your elderly loved one's kidneys healthy and reduce their chance of getting chronic renal disease, it's crucial that you urge them to do what's good for their kidneys.
Senior Home Care by Angels may help your family member or friend maintain healthy kidneys by providing them with the support they need. Not only can our in-home care services assist seniors with mundane housekeeping chores, but we also make it easy for them to include good habits into their daily routines, allowing them to age in place independently for longer.
How Caregivers from Senior Home Care by Angels Can Help Older Adults Maintain Good Kidney Health
Here are some ways our caregivers at Senior Home Care by Angels may assist seniors, whether it's in lowering their risk of chronic kidney disease or in managing symptoms:
Know the Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Carefully observe any changes in your elderly loved one's condition if you suspect they may be suffering from chronic renal disease. Please encourage your loved one to see a medical professional if they are going through any of the following:
- Exhaustion
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Dry or itchy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Foamy urine
- Urinating more or less often than usual
It is critical to have a screening and start treatment immediately if an aging loved one exhibits any of these symptoms. If not, their health could deteriorate to the point where they exhibit signs of advanced renal disease:
- Leg cramps
- Numbness or swelling in their extremities
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble sleeping
- Breath that smells fishy or like urine
- Vomiting
- Trouble concentrating
- Cold intolerance
- Change in skin colour
- Chest pain
- Easy bruising
But there will be instances when you can't maintain a careful watch on your loved one, such as when you're busy with work or family or when you live far away. Thankfully, when a caregiver from Senior Home Care by Angels visits your loved one's home, they may function as an extra set of eyes and ears, keeping a close eye on them. To help your family make the best choices, we will keep you updated if we see any strange behaviors or symptoms that might indicate chronic renal disease.
Get Screened for Kidney Disease
By being tested for chronic kidney disease, you can assist your loved one choose the best treatment option and manage their symptoms more effectively. People in certain risk categories should think about being tested for chronic kidney disease, and those who are already exhibiting symptoms should do so without delay. Those who are already at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, a history of renal failure in their family, or who are older than 60 years old.
Help your loved one avoid the dangers of chronic renal disease by having Senior Home Care by Angels arrange for transportation to and from the doctor's office for a screening. We are here to assist your loved one cope with any worry or uneasiness they may be experiencing while waiting for test results by keeping them company.
Manage Other Chronic Health Issues
The risk of kidney impairment increases in the elderly when they have certain chronic health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension. Those who have been labeled with these conditions should take action to deal with them, either by taking medicines or changing their lifestyle to be healthy.
The in-home chronic disease support services offered by Senior Home Care by Angels may help your loved one better manage their symptoms and enjoy more "good days" without sickness. Some of the many things that our in-home caregivers may do for your loved one include making sure they take their blood pressure medicine at the correct times and making sure they eat foods that keep their blood sugar levels low.
Prepare Healthy Meals
You may lessen your chances of getting chronic kidney disease or at least make its symptoms easier to manage with a healthy, balanced diet. In order to maintain good kidney health, your loved one should consult with their doctor or a nutritionist about creating a diet plan.
Some helpful dietary choices for seniors who want to maintain good kidney health include:
- People who are susceptible to chronic kidney disease should consume less protein and sodium and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated;
- Your loved one should cut down on potassium and phosphorus if they have advanced renal disease. Cutting back on calcium can be part of the solution, since many calcium-rich meals are also high in phosphorus;
- In addition to its primary focus on hypertension and related conditions, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet can be helpful in managing kidney health by reducing salt and sodium intake while increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts.
Meal planning and preparation is one of the many home care services offered by Senior Home Care by Angels. In order to lower the risk of chronic kidney disease, we can assist your loved one in maintaining a healthy diet by making nutritious meals and following any diet plan that has been prescribed.
Exercise
Regular exercise has several health benefits for the elderly, including reducing the likelihood of chronic renal disease and maintaining strong hearts, arteries, muscles, and bones. A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily is recommended by the Kidney Foundation of Canada. An easy fitness regimen, including things like gardening, walking, and light housekeeping, might help your loved one maintain healthy kidneys.
Senior Home Care by Angels may provide your loved one with an exercise companion if they need one. No matter what your loved one needs, our caregivers are here to help. They may suggest at-home stretching routines, going for walks around the neighbourhood, signing up for local fitness classes, and much more.
Pay Attention to Medications and How They Impact Kidney Health
While most people use medicine to alleviate the symptoms of their health problems, some of these drugs may have harmful effects on kidney function. Your elderly loved one should exercise caution while using over-the-counter pain medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), since excessive use of these medications might harm the kidneys.
To learn how Senior Home Care by Angels can help your loved one focus on their kidney health, contact your local office today to arrange a free in-home consultation.