Going through menopause can add to the stress of caregiving
August 12, 2011
Menopause is a natural part of aging for women, but the side effects are less than pleasant. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that common symptoms include hot flashes, fatigue and stress, and the bodily change usually occurs in women between the ages of 40 and 55.
The average family caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who is raising children, as well as looking after an older relative, according to USA Today. Add menopause into the equation and stress levels can skyrocket. One way to relieve some of the pressure can be to purchase a medical alert system, which gives the wearer and the caregiver peace of mind, knowing that help is always close at hand.
Another way that women often deal with menopause is dieting, but a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois found that eating more protein can actually help postmenopausal women lose weight. Protein wards off hunger and helps keep the correct balance of muscle and fat tissue. The researchers say that a high-protein diet can also preserve mobility and independence as women age.
“When a woman has less weight to carry, even if she’s lost a bit of lean mass in her legs, the effect is that she has better physical function,” said Ellen Evans, the lead scientist in the study.
