Common Problem and Disease on Elderly 3. Avoid alcohol, quit smoking.

Alcohol and smoking reduce

bone mass.

Confusion/Dementia 4. Avoid large amounts of protein – rich or salty and caffeine

foods. They can cause loss of calcium from the body.
1. Spend time with the Patient
5. Make the home safe to avoid accidents.
2. Use touch to convey concern
6. Practice good posture.
3. Provide frequent reiteration of orienting data (e.g. time,
place) 4. Use good body mechanics when lifting objects (e.g. bend
the knees instead of the back).
4. Have clocks or calendars in the environment
5. Do back exercises to improve posture.
5. Explain all actions, procedures and routines to the patient
6. Wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes that grip well.
6. Address the patient by his/her name
7. Don’t lift heavy objects.
7. Keep a routine activities
8. Avoid using a stool or bending over.
Constipation
9. Put items frequently used within easy reach.
1. Increase Fluid Intake
10. Use handrails when going up and down stairs.
2. Daily Exercise
11. Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopausal
women as prescribed.
3. Increase fiber intake (e.g. fruits and vegetables)
Postural Hypotension (PH)
Complications associated with constipation include
hemorrhoids from straining, anal fissures, rectal prolapse,
and fecal impaction. Untreated constipation in 1. Get out of bed slowly and in stages.
institutionalized patients can lead to cemented lesions in the
colon, megacolon, bowel blockage and perforation, 2. Sleep with head of bed elevated several inches.
peritonitis, and sepsis.
3. Have a daily fluid intake of 2 to 3 liters.
Osteoporosis
4. Avoid hot showers or baths, may cause venous dilatation
1. Have adequate calcium in diet: thereby, venous pooling.

• Milk/dairy products 5. Avoid straining at stool. This may cause fall of BP

• Fish 6. Avoid bending down and suddenly standing up again.

7. Rest for 60 minutes after meals.

• Beans
8. Avoid hyperventilation. This lowers the BP.
• Orange Juice
9. Exercise regimen must be recommended.
• Cereal or read that have added calcium
10. Use thigh-length elastic stockings to reduce venous
• Take calcium supplements pooling.

2. Get regular exercise 11. Avoid prolonged standing.

12. Heed warning signs of PH (e.g., dizziness, faintness,
visual disturbances)

13. Pharmacotherapy: Fludrocortisone (a mineralocorticoid

that promotes retention of water and sodium)

Hypertension

1. Encourage stress reduction and relaxation.

2. Encourage exercise such as swimming and walking.

3. Encourage healthy diet (fresh fruits, rice, vegetable).

4. No weightlifting.

5. Quit smoking, no alcohol,

6. Reduce intake of saturated fats.

7. Reduce salt intake to 1 to 6 gm per day.

8. Take prescribed medications at regular basis.

Elder abuse

There are many types of abuse used against the elderly. They
include:

1. Psychologic abuse such as instilling fear, threatening or

making the elderly perform demeaning tasks,

2. Physical abuse such as hitting, slapping, or burning.

3. Financial abuse such as taking their money or forcing

them to sign over their assets.

4. Neglect such as withholding food, medications or basic

care.

5. Infringement of personal rights such as restraining for

long periods of time against their will or isolating them
from normal social interactions.

6. Sexual abuse

7. The perpetrator of abuse is usually the spouse or the

children of the victim. Caregivers who abuse their
elderly family members are often middle-aged or older
or have emotional problems such as alcoholism or
substance abuse.