Caregiver in Anderson SC

If you are like most people, you do not think twice about reaching for that slice of toast in the morning, or having a sandwich for lunch. A few slices of pizza might be a favorite dinner treat, and you may even wash it down with a beer. While these seem like perfectly normal and relatively harmless choices, for those who have Celiac disease, they are far from it. For the 1 in 100 people throughout the world who have this autoimmune disorder, even a bite of that toast or a sip of that beer can cause a serious immune attack within their body that can leave them at serious risk of major health complications.

The unfortunate reality is that many people who have Celiac disease do not even realize that they have it. In fact, experts estimate that more than 2 and a half million people in the United States alone are currently living with the disease and have not received a diagnosis. Not only is this causing them unnecessary discomfort, but it could also be putting them at serious risk of health problems later in life. As a caregiver it is important that you are aware of the health risks that your parent faces and be vigilant about detecting them should they arise. May is Celiac Awareness Month. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about this disease and its symptoms so that you can help your parent deal with the condition if it becomes a part of your caregiver journey with them.

Some of the signs and symptoms of Celiac disease include:

• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Canker sores inside the mouth
• Bone pain
• Joint pain
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Itchy skin rash
• Bone loss
• Osteoporosis
• Tingling or numbness in the feet and hands
• Migraines
• Seizures

Though they are less common in adults, your elderly loved one may also experience digestive symptoms associated with Celiac disease. These can include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Chronic diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Pale, fatty stool

It is important to note that Celiac is a hereditary disease. This means that there is a strong link between having a family member with the disease and developing it. If your elderly parent has a child or a sibling who has been diagnosed with Celiac disease, they now have a 1 in 10 chance of developing the disease. As these symptoms could be related to many other health conditions, it is critical that you get your parent into their doctor as soon as possible after noticing the changes in their health so that they can get a proper diagnosis and begin a course of management and treatment.

The most impactful management technique that you will have to adopt as part of your care plan for a senior with Celiac is a gluten-free diet. Your parent will not be able to consume anything with gluten in order to protect their bodies and reduce the negative health effects. Many products contain “hidden” gluten, so you will need to read the labels of all foods and ingredients before use as you grow accustomed to your parent’s new dietary approach.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring caregiver services near Anderson, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.

Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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