Kidney disease affects more than 15 million seniors. As seniors get older, their risk of developing kidney disease increases. The natural aging process can take a toll on kidney function. So can other chronic illnesses and lifestyle choices.
If your mom or dad is living on their own and you’re worried about how they would get by at home if they develop chronic kidney disease you should consider senior home care.
Senior home care can help your mom or dad with all kinds of tasks that will help them be healthy and happy at home, including watching out for symptoms of kidney disease like these:
1. Fatigue and Weakness
Kidney disease can cause your mom or dad to become extremely tired all the time. This happens because the kidneys fail to filter toxins and waste from the blood. Low energy levels might also be linked to anemia caused by kidney problems. Seniors may feel unusually weak even after resting.
If your mom or dad starts feeling unusually tired or feels like they have no energy even after they have rested, you should make an appointment with their doctor to have their kidney function checked.
2. Swelling in the Body
Swelling, or edema, often appears in the feet, ankles, hands, or face. Poor kidney function causes fluid to build up in the body. This happens because the kidneys cannot remove excess water. Swelling may worsen throughout the day and feel uncomfortable.
If your mom or dad is having swelling that they didn’t have before, or the swelling they experiencing is getting worse, you should make an appointment with their doctor to find out what is causing the swelling.
3. Changes in Urine
Seniors who are in the early stages of kidney disease may experience changes in urine color, smell, or frequency. Urine might become foamy or bubbly due to protein loss. Seniors may also experience frequent urination, especially at night. Conversely, they might urinate less as kidney function declines.
Getting up at night to go to the bathroom can also increase the risk that your mom or dad will fall at home. And if they fall, they could be seriously hurt. If your mom or dad mentions they have been urinating more often or have had intense urges to urinate make a doctor’s appointment for them.
4. Shortness of Breath
Breathing issues can occur if kidney disease leads to fluid buildup in the lungs. Another cause is anemia, a condition that reduces oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Seniors may notice difficulty catching their breath during simple activities.
Shortness of breath in seniors can be caused by many things, so it’s important to get your mom or dad a checkup to find out what is causing their shortness of breath. A senior home care provider can take your mom or dad to a doctor’s appointment if you can’t take time off to take them.
5. Nausea and Loss of Appetite
Kidney disease can make it hard to eat or feel hungry. Waste buildup in the body may cause nausea or vomiting. Seniors might complain of a metallic taste in the mouth. Weight loss and poor nutrition can follow, weakening the body further.
Anytime your senior parent stops eating they should be checked by a doctor sooner rather than later so that the doctor can find out why.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Hempstead, NY, please contact the caring staff at Help at Home today at (631) 859-3435
Help at Home is a top provider of home care services in Islip, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Hempstead & Oyster Bay, and surrounding areas on Long Island & NYC. We serve Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.
Whether you or a loved one is recuperating from an illness or a senior requiring care, we can help. Help at Home is committed to providing quality home care at affordable rates. Helping a patient remain in the comfort and security of their home is our goal. We are the best alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Help at Home caregivers
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