Seniors And Hepatitis – What You Need To Know

When it comes to aging, there is a lot to be said for being proactive and for taking an active role in managing and supporting your health. World Hepatitis Day takes place annually on July 28th, and while you may not think that seniors need to be aware or concerned about hepatitis, older adults are actually more likely to have the disease that any other age group. So, even if you’ve taken the time to ensure your senior loved one is benefiting from companion care or premier home care, have you also made sure they’ve been tested for hepatitis?

People born between 1945 and 1965, had a higher chance of contracting the disease due to minimal blood testing standards and lack of knowledge about how the disease was spread. Many seniors may be completely unaware that they could carry the virus, and this illness can remain asymptomatic for years. However, without the knowledge that they’re infected, many seniors could succumb to the illness before they can get the care they need.

What Is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis causes the liver to become inflamed. However, because the liver is a very versatile and resilient organ, the impact on the liver may only be noticed later in life. Seniors can suddenly be diagnosed with hepatitis and learn that it has progressed to severe liver damage even if they’ve had no significant prior signs or symptoms.

There are three types of hepatitis, but hepatitis C is the most common version to affect seniors. Symptoms of hepatitis may include:

• Stomach pain or abdominal distention
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Jaundice affecting the eyes or the skin
• Dark urine and pale stools
• Breast development in males
• Low fever
• General itching

Testing And Treating Seniors With Hepatitis C

Testing for hepatitis C is comprised of blood tests and checking liver enzyme levels. It may be necessary to repeat testing after a few months to confirm results. It is important to note that seniors may need to take a proactive approach and ask their doctor to be tested, as it is not a common screening. Even seniors who currently feel healthy should ask for a hepatitis C screening.

Once diagnosed, there are many care options, as treatment and awareness of the disease has greatly advanced over the years. There are medications that can put the disease into remission and even help treat cirrhosis, and other impacts on the liver caused by the virus.

Regardless of the selected treatment plan, seniors living with hepatitis C will need to focus on healthy living choices. Alcohol should not be consumed, and healthy eating and exercising are important to support liver health. In particular, diets rich in iron and protein can be very beneficial, as can maintaining a healthy body weight, since excess body fat can harm the liver as well.

Support For Seniors Living With Hepatitis C

Whether a senior is newly diagnosed or has been living with hepatitis C for a while, it can be overwhelming to successfully manage living with the disease. iCare Home Health offers premier home care for seniors and can help with everyday tasks such as taking medication, wound care, preparing healthy meals, getting exercise and companion care too.

We offer several services that can help you or your loved one continue to live a happy and fulfilling life while managing medical conditions, like hepatitis. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.