Veterans Senior Care
As people get older, including veterans, certain tasks may become more challenging. For some, the ability to drive may become limited. Some elderly men and women willingly give up their driver’s license when they recognize the fear or challenges they have behind the wheel. Others may have them revoked following accidents, even if they were relatively minor fender benders or one-car accidents.
When a veteran has lost the ability to drive himself or herself around, getting to doctors’ appointments, to the store, to visit friends, and other places can become exceedingly difficult. If they have trouble walking around on their own without the assistance of a cane or walker, for example, just getting outside of the house, down the driveway, and to a sidewalk can be almost impossible.
Some veterans never consider home care support services.
Some veterans call on family members or friends every once in a while when they need help. It could be for an important doctor’s appointment. It might be to have an adult daughter or son go shopping for them once every couple of weeks.
One thing aging veterans may never consider asking someone to drive them to is the dentist. October is National Dental Hygiene Month and for veterans of all ages, taking care of their oral health is still as important as it was when they were children, teenagers, and young adults.
For aging veterans, though, it may not seem to be that major of a concern. After all, some elderly veterans wear dentures; they don’t have any of their original teeth. If they don’t have their original teeth, then why would they even need to worry about oral care?
In reality, it’s still essential that seniors, including veterans, take care of their oral hygiene for not just personal hygiene matters (bad breath) but also for their overall health. Bacteria exists in the mouth naturally, and its primary purpose is to begin the digestive process when a person begins eating. However, too much bacteria and other germs can be harmful to gums and other parts of the body.
If bacteria and germs enter sores in the gums, it can make a direct line to the heart and increase the risk of heart disease and other serious heart related issues. When an elderly veteran can’t get around anymore on their own, they should rely on a home care aide for assistance. If they can’t afford a home care aide, they should investigate whether they might actually qualify for financial assistance to pay for home care through the Aid and Attendance Benefit.
For more information and to learn about veterans aid and attendance, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
