10 Most Common
Healthcare Mistakes Made by Seniors
Nov.
10, 2003 - While seniors are living longer, there are still serious
health issues, 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. "At 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 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 overall
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 and 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. |
