The department of geriatrics is dedicated to geriatric medicine and medicine. She deals with patients who are over 65 years old and mostly over 80 years old. Geriatrics combines several medical disciplines. In addition to general medicine, orthopaedics, internal medicine, neurology and psychiatry are important fields of activity. The boundaries between the individual medical disciplines are fluid, since geriatrics deals with various aspects of “senile diseases”. It’s not just about physical health, but also, for example, about aspects of social care.
Although diseases of old age vary in frequency and severity, symptoms and treatments are typical in the following areas:
- Cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure or heart disease
- neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s or dementia
- orthopedic diseases, for example arthrosis
- Surgical treatments after injuries or for the purpose of transplantation, e.g. replacement of joints
- Mental illnesses, such as symptoms of depression or stress, caused by changed living conditions
Many symptoms occur parallel to each other or favor each other. Although diseases are not necessarily a consequence of old age, they still require active countermeasures.
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Tips for dealing with old age
Dealing with old age diseases is of course always related to the individual complaints and personal life situation. Nonetheless, there are some tried and tested strategies, options and tools that people in old age can call upon. In many cases, health in old age can be significantly influenced by preventive measures. Because even if illnesses or physical limitations already occur, it is worth keeping the number of health “construction sites” as low as possible. In addition to physical, mental care is also important. Appropriate training, such as memory sports, helps to stay fit in old age. Special senior sports such as special gymnastics or dance also benefit both physical and mental health. And although it is of course difficult, especially in old age, it is often worth making certain changes, such as in diet.
Accepting more help with age: stair lift and Co.
In addition to preventive measures and your own physical and mental activity, it is important to accept help in old age. This is again an individual approach, since a corresponding realistic assessment of one’s own (remaining) abilities is required. After a long and independently led life, many older people also find it difficult to generally accept help. Certain tools are like a kind of compromise in these cases, as they provide support but still enable a certain degree of independence. A good example of this is mobility, which is often restricted in old age. For many, there is a risk of being torn out of their usual environment, as this is not designed to be age-appropriate. Mobility aids, for example in the form of a stair lift, can be a solution or at least a great help in these cases. Many companies specialize in fitting out stair lifts or other mobility aids. At thyssenkrupp Home Solutions you get an overview of the costs of a stairlift. Other service providers also target an older target group. For example, you can get support in the following areas:
- housekeeping and cleaning service
- Shopping assistance and delivery service
- Accompaniment service, from official visits to the doctor to leisure activities
If older people would like to obtain information about the relevant services, they can make use of various advisory services. In order to facilitate contact, for example regarding the purchase of a stair lift, advice can often be given in your own four walls.
Aids in old age naturally also refer to therapeutic care. However, this is not limited to going to the doctor. It makes sense to take advantage of targeted supplementary therapeutic measures and, if necessary, psychological treatments.
However , therapy in old age is not limited to physical and psychological care . Leisure activities specially geared to older people are also part of a holistic health concept. Whether further education, travel or the exercise of smaller jobs or honorary posts, all this benefits physical and mental health in old age. It is therefore always important to obtain the relevant information and to take your own health into your own hands as far as possible. This is just as important when dealing with geriatric diseases as medical care and aids such as a stair lift.
If the individual complaints nevertheless increase over time, one is often dependent on outside help. Most people want to grow old in their familiar surroundings. Outpatient care is just the right thing for this. This is usually basic and treatment care . In addition to the care, the offer for meals on wheels can also be used. There are many providers in this segment who have specialized in seniors. Above all, it is important that details of care are discussed with the relatives at an early stage. As a result, misunderstandings are cleared up early on and the people concerned are cared for according to their wishes.
