The Crucial Role of Kidney Health in Seniors

As the years pass by, it becomes clearer how important maintaining health is, especially when it comes to kidney health and seniors. The kidneys, which are bean-shaped organs that sit under the rib cage, are essential for keeping the body balanced. When seniors have assistance in the home services and their loved ones support them, they get support for their health in general, as well as any monitoring that their kidneys might need.

This blog explores why kidney health is important for seniors, what the kidneys do, and some common problems that come with getting older.

Understanding the Importance of the Kidneys

The kidneys have several tasks, and they all need to work in tandem to ensure that seniors are in their best health. A few kidney roles are detailed further below.

Filtration and Excretion: The kidneys’ main job is to filter blood to get rid of waste and extra fluid. This process helps maintain the balance of important fluids and blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Control: The kidneys control blood pressure by letting out the enzyme renin and managing the amount of blood in the body.

Regulation of Erythropoiesis: The kidneys make erythropoietin, a hormone that helps make red blood cells. Keeping the number of red blood cells at a healthy level is important for getting oxygen to all parts of the body.

What Problems Do Aging Kidneys Have?

Beyond understanding what the kidneys do, it’s also essential to understand common issues that might arise. For instance, seniors tend to have a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is the rate at which the kidneys pass blood. Too much GFR can cause waste to build up in the blood. Additionally, as people age, their kidneys may get less blood flow, which can make it harder for them to filter blood and keep blood pressure in check.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is also an issue that seniors might face, causing them to lose kidney function over time. If the disease is not handled properly, even more issues can occur. With assistance in the home, seniors with CKD can be monitored consistently in hopes of keeping them as healthy as possible.

What Steps Can Seniors Take to Improve Kidney Health?

Working together with assistance in the home, loved ones can ensure seniors have the care they need to improve their kidney health. Some steps that help seniors move in the right direction are as follows:

Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated is very important for kidney health.

Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins is good for health in general, and it also helps the kidneys work better. With assistance in the home, seniors receive support in healthy meal planning to ensure they understand what to include in their diet.

Check Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure: Assistance in the home is also instrumental in helping seniors monitor their blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Limit Over-the-Counter-Medicines: Some medicines, especially NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can be hard on the kidneys. Before taking these medicines daily, seniors should talk to their doctor or nurse.

Seniors can keep their health and vitality at peak levels by learning how the kidneys work, being aware of the usual problems that come with getting older and taking proactive steps. With the help of loved ones and assistance in the home, they and their kidneys get the support they need.

Sources: https://www.kidney.org/news/monthly/wkd_aging https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4291282/ https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/kidney/older-adults-kidney-disease

If you or an aging loved one is considering Assistance in the Home Services in Marietta GA please get in touch with the caring staff at CaraVita Home Care today. (770) 643-1712