The body changes dramatically with age, and headaches are common among seniors. Although headaches are usually harmless, especially in older adults, they can occasionally indicate more serious underlying health problems.
With the help of home care assistance, seniors can learn how to more effectively manage their headaches as well as when to look out for warning signs that could point to a more serious health issue.
Understanding Seniors Headaches
Seniors may experience headaches for a number of reasons, such as:
- Tension and Stress: Stress, tense muscles, or bad posture are frequently the causes of the most prevalent headaches in seniors, which are known as tension headaches.
- Migraines: Although they can strike anyone at any age, as people age, they may experience an increase in frequency or severity.
- Overuse of Medication: Rebound headaches may result from seniors’ increased propensity to abuse painkillers.
- Health Issues: Headaches can result from underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, sinus infections, vision problems, or even more serious conditions like brain tumors or strokes.
Advice for Handling Senior Headaches
Having home care assistance by their side and support from loved ones is key for seniors. They can remind and encourage seniors to do the following:
- Maintain Hydration: Seniors must drink lots of water throughout the day because dehydration can worsen headaches. Home care assistance caregivers can help ensure seniors get enough hydration regularly.
- Keep Up a Nutritional Diet: Seniors need to consume well-balanced meals on a regular basis and avoid headache-causing foods like processed foods, coffee, and alcohol.
- Use Stress-Reduction Strategies: Stress management practices like gentle yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can relieve tension headaches.
- Frequent Exercise: Walking and swimming are two gentle, low-impact exercises that can increase circulation and lessen headache frequency.
- Create a Regular Sleep Schedule: Getting enough sleep is important for general health and can also help avoid headaches. Seniors should strive for seven to nine hours of good sleep every night.
- Use Pain Relief Sparingly: Although over-the-counter painkillers can offer brief relief, seniors should refrain from becoming overly dependent on them in order to avoid rebound headaches.
When Are Headaches a Concern?
Seniors typically experience benign headaches, but there are some warning signs that call for quick medical attention:
- Sudden Onset: A severe headache that appears suddenly may indicate a stroke or other serious neurological condition.
- Shift in Pattern: If there is a notable shift in the frequency, intensity, or features of headaches, seniors and home care assistance caregivers should talk with their medical team.
- Headaches with Concomitant Symptoms: If seniors experience headaches along with symptoms like weakness, numbness, disorientation, blurred vision, trouble speaking, or unconsciousness, they should get help right away.
- Headaches Following Injury: It’s critical for seniors to seek medical attention to rule out a concussion or other serious trauma if headaches occur after falling or having a head injury.
- Worsening Symptoms: If headaches get worse over time or don’t go away with standard care and home care assistance, additional assessment is required.
Even though headaches are a common complaint among seniors, they shouldn’t be disregarded, particularly if they’re accompanied by worrying symptoms or pattern changes. Loved ones and home care assistance caregivers should urge seniors to focus on the tips above and pay attention to whether their headaches change over time to ensure they get the medical help they need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Assistance in Solana Beach, CA, please contact the caring staff at La Jolla Nurses Homecare today. Call (858) 454-9339
La Jolla Nurses Homecare is a top provider of home care services in San Diego, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carmel Valley, Point Loma, Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, Kensington, Coronado, University City, Pacific Beach, and all of San Diego County.
Sources:
- https://www.elitecarehc.com/blog/8-ways-for-seniors-to-manage-headaches/
- https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(17)30871-6/fulltext
- https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/geriatric-headaches
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