The congenital condition spina bifida occurs when the spine doesn’t develop properly. The symptoms can be mild or severe, which is why sometimes the condition may go undetected. In fact, a senior with a mild version of spina bifida can go through life without knowing he or she has the condition. However, some symptoms of spina bifida can have a greater impact on your loved one’s life and may require treatment. Here are four ways the symptoms of spina bifida can be treated in seniors.
1. Tethered Cord Treatment
In a healthy human, the spinal cord moves freely within the spinal column whenever the individual bends or twists. Seniors who have spina bifida often develop a condition in which the cord becomes tethered to the bone, which can cause permanent damage. Tethered cord treatment is a type of surgery in which a doctor dislodges the cord and smoothens the surface of the bone so it doesn’t become tethered again.
2. Dietary Changes
Having spina bifida increases the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and a variety of other weight-related conditions. Because exercising is often challenging for seniors who have this condition, it’s vital to stick to a healthy diet. In addition to eating fresh produce and lean protein, your loved one should also make sure to get enough fiber in the diet to avoid exacerbating any bowel issues.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
3. Therapy
Seniors who have been diagnosed with chronic conditions such as spina bifida have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Treating these conditions can enhance your loved one’s quality of life as well as the outlook he or she has on the condition. While therapists are one option, your loved one can also benefit from attending support groups.
For families living in Tucson, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
4. Postural Modification
Another common side effect of spina bifida is chronic back pain, which practically everyone who has this condition is likely to experience at some point. While painkillers can temporarily dull the pain, chemical prescriptions shouldn’t be viewed as a permanent solution. Instead, you and your loved one can speak with a physical therapist about postural modification, which is the process of actively changing the posture while sitting and standing to alleviate some of the pressure on damaged nerves.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elderly home care Tucson, AZ, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Rely on the professionals at Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today at (520) 276-6555 to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.