Globe Syndicate
For
release
The
by Carol Abaya, M.A.
‘DROPS’ CAN BE DEADLY
Question: My parents
(late 70s) recently moved to
What should I do?
Answer: I’m not a doctor. According to the American Heart Association,
hot temperatures impact older people in strange ways.
In a
recent study, hot weather has been linked to a reduction in daytime blood
pressure (maybe causing the dizziness).
At the same time, there is an increased systolic blood pressure at
night. Researchers still don’t know why
this occurs.
Lower
blood pressure can result in dizziness, especially if a person gets up
quickly. Your mother should get up
slower. At night, higher blood pressure
can cause dizziness.
Also, a
person’s body needs more liquids in really hot weather. Your mother should be drinking a lot more
water than she would have in her home state. Dehydration can cause dizziness.
Question: My father, 84,
recently came to live with us. Even
though he says he eats breakfast and lunch, he seems to have lost weight. He also has become much quieter and
reclusive. I work and leave the house
before he gets up in the morning. So, I
don’t know what he eats during the day or what he does.
Answer: Moving an elderly parent
to your home for your comfort can be very damaging to the elder’s mental and
physical health. A move to a strange
place, which is empty all day, can be devastating. Unless he can still drive, he is isolated
from humanity for long hours. No wonder
he may not be eating properly or is depressed.
This is one reason I think elders should remain in their own home with
appropriate help.
Fortunately,
you have recognized that there is a problem.
First
you need to address the empty house situation.
Identify senior activities in the area and get your father to
participate. Senior centers and churches
as well as community colleges have marvelous activities and trips. While difficult to do at his age, he needs to
make new friends and develop a new routine to keep active both mentally and
physically.
Second
you need to address the weight problem.
You should sit down with him and discuss his previous routine. What did he eat for breakfast? For lunch? Make sure all his favorites are there and
show him where everything is in the pantry or refrigerator. Monitor the supplies to make sure he is in
fact eating.
If weight loss continues, look at any medications he takes to see if any dampen appetite or can make him depressed. A doctor’s evaluation is appropriate. Also ask your father if he has any problem chewing. Is there pain or discomfort in any part of his mouth? A visit to the dentist may be needed.
Are you juggling doing errands for your aging parents, your children, yourself and working at the same time? Are you tired, stressed out and upset that your once vibrant parent is now frail and needy?
Do you feel alone? Rest assured you are not alone! The Sandwich Generation is dedicated to the 50 million Americans who may have elder/parent care concerns and/or responsibilities.
* * *
Do
you have a question? Send it in. Although letters cannot be answered
individually, appropriate letters will be answered in this column whenever
possible. Letters may be edited. Send letters to Ms. Carol Abaya,
mail direct to her at
Carol Abaya is an international-award-winning journalist and creator of the unique magazine The Sandwich Generation: You & Your Aging Parents.
NOTES TO EDITORS: text = 568 words; other material = 160 words
We would appreciate it if you would include the "Globe Syndicate" bug at the end of the column.