There are several common diseases and health issues that affect both genders equally. These include things like common colds, certain cancers, and the flu. Some ailments, however, seem to be more prevalent in women. Here are four of them.
Alzheimer’s
There are more than 5 million men and women in the U.S. diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Of those numbers, 2 out of 3 are women. This form of dementia typically starts with memory lapses and progresses to very troublesome symptoms like forgetting who people are, wandering, and eventually death. People in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s often struggle to eat and require 24-hour supervision.
Alzheimer’s has no cure. There are medications that can slow the progression, but there’s no cure. If your mom has Alzheimer’s, you need to start thinking about financial and medical powers of attorney, around-the-clock senior care services, and whether she’ll stay at home or move into a care facility.
Multiple Sclerosis
Many cases of multiple sclerosis are diagnosed by the time a person is 50. While that’s the norm, there are cases where MS wasn’t diagnosed until the age of 75. There are medications that help with some of the symptoms. Most common symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, tingling in the arms and legs, anxiety, blurred vision, and mobility issues.
It’s estimated that more than 2.3 million men and women in the world have MS. Women are up to three times more likely to develop the disease. When mobility and vision are affected, senior care services are beneficial for transportation needs and making sure a senior gets in and out of the shower safely.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where bone density diminishes. What could be a simple fall turns into a big deal because the weakened bone breaks and needs repair. A bone density scan can detect bone loss early. Medications can help strengthen the bone or prevent additional bone loss.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation finds that about 1 out of every 2 women has low bone density, which puts them at high risk of developing osteoporosis. Usually, osteoporosis doesn’t affect the quality of life until a bone breaks. If that happens, it can take months to heal. Home care services enable a senior to heal at home with the help of trained caregivers.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured. It’s an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body sees joint tissue as an invader. Joint inflammation and pain are the two main symptoms, but fever and appetite loss can occur.
The disease is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60, and women are more likely to develop
the disease. Medications and exercises can help ease the symptoms.
With any of these health conditions, you’ll need help caring for your mom. She’ll need companionship, assistance around the house, and help with meals. Home care can be invaluable in support of your efforts to care for your mom. Consider hiring a senior care provider to assist your elderly parent with the tasks of daily living, as well as to offer companionship for her and respite from caregiving for you.
Sources:
http://www.alz.org/facts/overview.asp
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Who-Gets-MS
https://www.nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353648
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN LAS VEGAS, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.