Kidney disease can develop slowly in older adults, often without obvious symptoms until the condition has progressed more than people might expect. Recognizing some of the warning signs can help seniors get treatment sooner and avoid more serious complications down the road. Home care providers can help to identify these changes and encourage timely medical attention instead of letting symptoms go unnoticed.
Changes in Energy and Appetite
Seniors might find that they experience changes in their appetites and energy levels for a variety of reasons. One reason in particular could be because their kidney function is declining. Sometimes it’s easy to believe this is just a normal part of aging. But addressing the underlying kidney issues can help seniors recover their ability to eat and their energy levels. Elder care providers can help seniors notice these changes, especially when they occur gradually.
Digestive and Muscle Symptoms
Some of the symptoms associated with kidney disease may not seem related to the kidneys at all. Nausea, muscle cramps, and even unexplained muscle weakness can point to kidney trouble that needs medical attention. There are other possible causes, like vitamin deficiencies, but it’s important for seniors to talk with their doctors to determine what is actually happening. Home care providers can help seniors track their symptoms and take that information to their doctors.
Changes in Sleep and Urination
When seniors start to have trouble with their kidney health, they may experience changes in how often they urinate or how much urine they produce. They may also have more trouble sleeping, particularly if they find they’re waking up to go to the bathroom a lot more often. Home care providers can be there to support seniors as they work out why they might be seeing these changes, especially overnight if seniors have significant trouble sleeping.
Swelling, Breathing, and Blood Pressure Changes
Some other symptoms related to kidney health can include swelling in the lower extremities, shortness of breath, and blood pressure changes. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a common contributing factor to kidney disease, and it doesn’t often have symptoms. Regularly monitoring blood pressure levels can help seniors to stay on top of heart health as well as kidney health.
Cognitive and Skin-Related Symptoms
If seniors suddenly find that they’re itchy all the time, they might have trouble with their kidneys. It’s easy to dismiss skin symptoms as being something else, like contact dermatitis or eczema. But when kidneys have more trouble clearing waste from the body, that can show up in the skin. Seniors may also find that they feel foggier or more easily confused if their kidneys aren’t functioning well. Home care providers can help families connect some of these dots when they seem like unrelated symptoms of other conditions.
Kidney disease symptoms are often subtle at first, which makes consistent observation valuable for catching problems early. Home care providers can help seniors and their families catch these warning signs as soon as possible, before kidney disease progresses and becomes more difficult to manage.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Pleasant Hill, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.
