Question: How do you know when an elderly relative who lives alone can still care for themselves?
Answer: The key is to look for changes. If you are in regular contact with your elderly family member, be alert for changes in appearance and behavior. These can signal a number of things. It could be your loved one should see a doctor for an exam or to have their medications adjusted. It could possibly mean they are suffering from depression and need treatment for that.
Changes, such as weight loss, forgetfulness, neglecting personal grooming or financial problems could be a sign of illness, increasing forgetfulness or a deceasing ability to handle all of the daily chores involved in living independently. Seeing unusual behavior from time to time is not necessarily cause for alarm, but if you see a pattern of behavior changes, it’s time to intervene and talk to your relative and to their doctor.
Brian Gamborg, MD, medical director
Home Health Agency of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital
Question: I have PVD and suffer leg pains when walking. How hard can I push the walk in a regular exercise program to improve them and reduce the pain?
Answer: Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition in which the arteries in the legs have hardened and narrowed (atherosclerosis). As a result, the oxygen-rich blood normally traveling freely through the arteries has a harder time reaching all the cells and tissues in the legs. Patients may experience pain in their legs only when physically active, because the leg muscles are not getting the extra oxygen-rich blood that they need when extending and contracting. Individuals with PVD may be tempted to avoid walking as much as possible because walking hurts. However, walking is actually one of the best strategies for relieving pain. Walking is a weight-bearing exercise that can develop leg muscles so they can be more efficient with less oxygen-rich blood. Walking also stimulates the formation of tiny new blood vessels in the legs so that there are more pathways through which blood can flow. As a result of these gradual changes in the body, pain tends to lessen significantly.
Chris Thompson, MD, cardiologist
Questions may be submitted to: Healthy Advice, 716 E. Napoleon St., Sulphur, LA 70663 or by emailing healthyadvice@wcch.com. Questions cannot be answered individually, but will be considered for publication. Please check with your physician for specific recommendations concerning your health concerns. This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Healthy Advice is a weekly column from West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.
