La Habra, Calif. – November 5, 2003
– While seniors are living longer today than ever before, there are still
serious health issues that occur with the aging process, ranging from
arthritis and vision problems to hearing loss and forgetfulness. In an effort
to help seniors better deal with their health problems, the Institute for
Healthcare Advancement (IHA) has identified the 10 most common mistakes
seniors make in caring for their health.
“Seniors are enjoying themselves and
remaining active much later in life,” said Gloria Mayer, R.N., Ed.D.,
president and chief executive officer of the La Habra, Calif.-based IHA.
𠇊t the same time, they must take charge of their healthcare. By
identifying the most common errors they make when caring for their health, we
hope to enhance physician/patient communications, as well as help seniors
better understand how the healthcare system works and what they can do for
themselves to stay healthy.”
The 10 most common mistakes identified are as follows:
1. Driving when it’s no longer safe
Seniors often associate mobility in a car with their independence, but
knowing when it is time to stop driving is important for the safety of
everyone on the road. Decisions about when to stop driving should be made
together with a family physician because chronological age alone does not
determine someone’s fitness to drive.
2. Fighting the aging process and its appearance
Refusing to wear a hearing aid, eyeglasses or dentures, reluctant to ask
for help, or to use walking aids are all examples of this type of denial. This
behavior may prevent the senior from obtaining helpful assistance with some of
the problems of aging.
3. Reluctance to discuss intimate health problems with the doctor or health
care provider
Seniors may not want to bring up sexual or urinary difficulties. Sometimes
problems that the senior thinks are trivial, such as stomach upsets,
constipation, or jaw pain, may require further evaluation.
4. Not understanding what the doctor told them about their health problem
or medical treatment plan
“I could not understand the doctor,” or “He told me what to do, but
you know me, I can’t remember what he said” are typical complaints.
Reluctance to ask the doctor to repeat information or to admit that they do
not understand what is being said, can result in serious health consequences.
5. Disregarding the serious potential for a fall
Falls result in fractures and painful injuries which sometimes take months
to heal. To help guard against falling, seniors should remove scatter rugs
from the home and have adequate lighting in the home and work areas. They
should wear sturdy and well-fitting shoes. Seniors should watch for slopes and
cracks in sidewalks. Participating in exercise programs for to improve muscle
tone and strength is also helpful.
6. Failure to have a system or a plan for managing medicines
Missed medication doses can result in inadequate treatment of a medical
condition. By using daily schedules, pill box reminders or check off records,
seniors can avoid missing medication doses. Because health care providers need
to know all of the medicines that a senior is taking, seniors should maintain
a complete list of all their prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
including dose and the reason that the medicine is being taken.
7. Not having a single primary care
physician who looks at the over all medical plan for treatment
Health problems may be overlooked
when a senior goes to several different doctors or treatment programs, and
multiple treatment regimens may cause adverse responses. The patient may be
over or under treated if a single physician is not evaluating the full medical
treatment program.
8. Not seeking medical attention when early possible warning signs occur
Reasons for such inaction and denial may include lack of money or reduced
self worth due to age. “I am so old it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Of course, such treatment delays can result in a more advanced stage of
illness and a poorer prognosis.
9. Failure to participate in prevention programs
Flu and pneumonia shots, routine breast and prostate exams are examples of
readily available preventive health measures that seniors should utilize to
remain healthy.
10. Not asking loved ones for help
Many seniors are simply too stubborn to ask for help, whether due to an
understandable need for independence or because of early signs of dementia.
It’s important that elderly people alert family members or other loved ones
to any signs of ill health or unusual feelings so that they can be assessed
before the problem advances.
In an effort to help older Americans become less fearful of medical conditions
and more empowered about their health, the IHA has published What To Do For
Senior Health, an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand, self-help medical book
for senior citizens. For more information or to order the book, call (800)
434-4633 or go to www.iha4health.org and click on the “Bookstore” link.
The Institute for Healthcare Advancement is a
La Habra-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing healthcare
delivery through the demonstration of innovative healthcare practices and the
education of healthcare professionals and consumers. The Institute provides
healthcare information through its various publishing efforts, the Internet,
and its renowned local and national education programs. For more information,
please go to www.iha4health.org.
10
Most Common Healthcare Mistakes Made by Seniors