Aging Together – Part 3
In my final Aging Together series, we will shift our focus to identifying the signs and symptoms of vision, hearing, weight, and mobility issues. In addition, I will also give some suggestions on how aging can be slowed down. More importantly, my role as a physiotherapist is to help older adults maintain independence or improve their mobility.
Signs and symptoms to look for:
Vision
- Severe, sudden eye pain
- Recurrent pain in or around the eye
- Hazy, blurred, or double vision
- Seeing flashes of light or sudden bright floating spots
- Seeing rainbows or halos around lights
- Seeing a “curtain coming down” over one eye
- Sensing a “cup filling up with ink” in one eye
- Unusual, even painful, sensitivity to light or glare
- Swollen, red eyes
- Changes in the color of the iris
- White areas in the pupil the eye
- Itching, burning, or a heavy discharge in the eyes
Hearing
- Muffling of speech and other sounds
- Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd of people
- Trouble hearing consonants
- Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly
- Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
- Withdrawal from conversations
- Avoidance of some social settings
Weight
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Sudden loss of weight without any reason
- Changes to toileting habit or timing
Mobility
- Difficulty in performing ADLs
- Changes in sleeping or sitting habits
- Easily fatigued
Way to “slow down” aging
Playing Crosswords Puzzles or Sudoku
High cognitive engagement (such as doing crossword puzzles) may prevent or slow deposition of beta-amyloid, perhaps influencing the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It will also improve memory and brain function. On top of that, it helps overcome boredom and it encourages you to be sociable when you play in a group.
Playing musical instruments
It improves concentration, memory control, and fine motor skills. It helps older adults to build self-esteem and connect with people.
Walking
Walking is a form of simple physical activity which helps reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension, improve your balance and coordination, and decrease your likelihood of falling. It also increases your confidence and mood, and helps older adults feel better all round which reduces anxiety or depression.
Resistance training
Resistance training builds muscle strength, muscle mass, preserve bone density, and promote independence. In addition, resistance training also has the ability to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and the signs and symptoms of numerous chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes,
How can I help you?
As mentioned, my role as a physiotherapist is to help people regain independence or maintain their current mobility state. I facilitate independence through the use of strength training, gait training, mobility exercises, soft tissue work, pain management or education. There is no hard and fast rule so I am unable to recommend my interventions professionally until I have assessed the individual. The only recommendation I will make is to encourage the carer to be present for all the physiotherapy sessions. This will enable them to understand, learn and manage the older adult
If you are not sure, we can have a brief phone consultation 03-62117533. Otherwise, you can book an appointment to see me through email contact@myhealthworks.com.my or Whatsapp +6018-9828539.