Houston

Tips for Assessing Self-Directed Care

Self-directed care is one of the ways to promote senior independence. When a senior is involved in choosing who will be the primary caregiver and what type of care they actually need, they have a feeling that they are still in control of their own life. As we age, many of us will need the help of another because of an illness or disease. When this time comes, it is reassuring to know that the option of self-directed care exists. Self-directed care may not be an option for all seniors. Below are some tips on how to assess seniors for self-directed care.

1.    Always take the time to ask the senior their views on the situation. Involve family members in these discussions as well. Also be sure to ask the senior if they have any interest in adult daycare programs.

2.    Make note of how the senior functions on a daily basis. It is important to know whether they can care for themselves in any way. Some seniors may require minimal assistance, such as with keeping up with laundry or getting to appointments.

3.    Be sure that the safety needs of the senior are always being met.

4.    It is important to make sure seniors feel safe in their home. Ask them if this is the case. In addition, spiritual beliefs should be supported and social needs tended to. Seniors should not be isolated from the rest of the world just because they are old and may have an illness.

eHow.com

Stress Levels Rise with Chronic Illness

When a senior has a chronic illness and also has a caregiver, the caregiver will feel some serious effects that are caused by the illness. While being a caregiver is a noble position, it is also extremely stressful and exhausting. Many caregivers sacrifice so much of their own lives to care for a senior. When the senior has a chronic illness, they will require even more care, which will increase the amount of stress on the caregiver. The information below includes some of the symptoms associated with stress and some ways for caregivers to reduce this stress.

1. Chronic illnesses will increase physical stress for the caregiver. There are various symptoms of stress that all caregivers should know about, including anger, depression, exhaustion, guilt, denial, irritability and being dissatisfied with life in general.

2. The levels of stress will vary depending on the actual illness. This is because certain illnesses will require more care and will place more responsibility on the caregiver.

3. The causes of physical and emotional stress include physical changes that have side effects, the inability to work, changes in personal relationships and financial demands due to the needs of healthcare.

4. To help alleviate stress, caregivers should take frequent breaks. Taking a day off here and there is also a good idea. Make sure to care for your own health, physically and emotionally and always know what your limits are.

5. Caregivers should not be afraid to ask for help if they begin getting stressed. Asking family members for some help and support can make a world of difference and can reduce the responsibilities of caring for a senior with chronic illness. It can also help prevent and reduce existing stress.

OcalaHealthSystem.com

To help adult children of older adults know what to say to aging parents about long term care issues, the following scenarios are most common topics that adult children worry about. Home Instead Senior Care research conducted surveys and in-depth studies in the U.S. on these hard topics. Responses to “how to bring up conversations with aging relatives” were developed in cooperation with Jake Harwood, Ph.D., communication professor and author from the University of Arizona.

Here are a few that were addressed. You can visit the site mentioned below for more information.

How do you begin a conversation with your mom, age 70 who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, about the possible ramifications of this disease on her life?

Many seniors in this situation might begin the conversation with family themselves. If not, then it would be good to think about her personal circumstances and important areas to address. For example, if your mother lives in a remote area, transportation is probably the most immediate issue. Approach the conversation with the goal of trying to resolve this one issue, rather than multiple issues.

Timing is the key. There are rarely urgent deadlines that have to be met immediately—give yourself and your parent time to think about issues. Your mom would likely be receptive to a conversation that begins: “Let’s figure out a plan for how you can get around town if you no longer feel safe driving.”

Did your Dad Hit a Light Pole?

A neighbor of your 83-year-old dad has called to tell you he saw your father back his car into a light pole. What do you say?

If the damage is visible, you could ask, “Hey Dad, what happened to the car?” Or you could bring up the phone call from his neighbor. “Fred from next door called and said he saw you run your car into the light pole.”

Take the opportunity to drive with your parent. Even a short drive would help you gauge your dad’s skills and deficits. For instance, an older adult who consciously reduces driving at night because of vision issues or who drives a little slower to account for reaction time is probably safe. On the other hand, an 83-year-old who insists on driving icy highways at night while doing 75 mph is probably in need of immediate intervention. Then gear your comments accordingly. If you’re concerned that your dad is unsafe on the roads, make his safety and that of others your focus. “Dad, I’m worried that you’re no longer safe on the roads and that others could be at risk as well.”

If you recently had a conversation on a sensitive topic with an aging loved one, please tell us your story. Please add tips that worked for you by placing it in the comment section.

40/70 Talk

One Step Closer to a Cure for Alzheimer’s

Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s would be the answer to many prayers. However, researchers are a long way off. There have been some major advancements that have helped though. There are some new drugs that are being tested that could provide a huge benefit to those seniors suffering with the disease. More information on current research is provided in the list below.

1.    More than 5 million seniors in the US have Alzheimer’s and many of these cases are severe, resulting in the loss of daily functions.

2.    As the population continues to age, the number of people that will be affected by Alzheimer’s will also be on the rise. Currently, a senior in the US develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. This is expected to become every 33 seconds in the next decade.

3.    Those who are researching early detection of the disease say they are on the road to substantial advances.

4.    Alzheimer’s drugs are now being used on many senior patients. The medication focuses on amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in the brain of those with the disease.

5.    Researchers are optimistic that once an anti-amyloid drug is perfected, the disease could be stopped in its tracks. It will also allow the disease to be detected by using scanning technology.

6.    Currently, there is no national plan aimed at researching the disease. Not enough funding and lack of researchers is the reason more progression has not yet been made.

7.    Researchers have a goal of perfecting medications and learning much more about this debilitating disease.

Source: Consumer Healthday

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Many Seniors Reaching a Ripe Old Age

Living longer is a blessing for many seniors who are healthy. Seniors are now living much longer than in the past. The increase in life expectancy can be attributed to better health care in the senior population. Below is a list of facts that provide information on the increased life expectancy and how seniors are affected.

1. Medical intervention and awareness are responsible for a large portion of the reason seniors are living longer.

2. Over the past 170 years, life expectancy has increased at a rate of 2.5 years each decade. This is equal to gaining 6 hours of life each day!

3. Most individuals who were born in 2000 or later will reach the age of 100.

4. Since people are living longer, it may be time to make some changes to lifestyles. A proposal would be to have younger people work fewer hours. This would allow them to work longer as they age instead of entering retirement and then living for another 30 or 40 years.

5. Seniors are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This should include a well-rounded diet, daily exercise and social involvement.

Source: Duke News

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

Ibuprofen Information – Nature’s Form

Ibuprofen is a commonly used anti-inflammatory used by seniors. Since the source of pain and aching is often caused by inflammation, seniors could benefit from the ingestion of some natural foods and spices instead of relying on ibuprofen. Below is a list of these items that can help seniors manage their daily pain.

1. Any food that acts as an anti-inflammatory can be referred to as Nature’s Ibuprofen. These include many spices and herbs that are typically found in a healthy diet.

2. Organic berries offer many benefits. They can fight inflammation, but they also have anti-oxidant powers. These berries also include high amounts of fiber, which is important in any senior diet.

3. Some seniors do not like to add spices to their foods. However, there are certain spices that can offer great benefits. Seniors should consider using oregano, garlic and turmeric when preparing a meal.

4. Green tea also offers some anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Foods that contain rosemary and ginger will help seniors with an inflammatory disease.

6. No matter what the medical condition is, if seniors are taking ibuprofen daily to battle aches and pains, they should consider including these foods and spices in their daily diets.

Source: Ultra Wellness Center

Home Care Houston Southeast serving elders in the Bay Area; Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, League City, & Pearland - call (281) 484-0200.

Home Care Houston Southwest serving aging adults in Katy, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fushear, Sugar Land, Stafford, Memorial City & Galleria areas - call 832 379-4700.

What exactly is Swine Influenza? Learn the facts about the virus that’s catching the
attention of the news media and concerned citizens all over the US from The Center of
Disease Control and Prevention website and share your thoughts.

1.) How should this outbreak be handled?

2.) What can adults and seniors do to prevent exposure?

Please comment below with your opinions!

Image Source:
-New York Times

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health – Call us 281-484-0200.

Today we are continuining with our topic of keeping aging adults safe in their homes and will talk about some common problems and possible solutions for the bathroom area.  Many seniors have accidents in the bathrooms and often as result of this avoid taking baths or showers out of fear of falling or hurting themselves.

This problem is particularly prevelant amongst those with physical limitations but someone with memory loss or dementia can be even more at risk.  Home Instead provides training and tips to its caregivers through a multi-phased training program, which includes information about home safety and potential problem areas throughout a senior’s home to be adjusted or avoided where needed.

If your loved one has moderate to severe cognitive impairment and needs verbal cues and some assistance with toileting and bathing, the bathroom needs to be as accessible as possible to maximize independence.

Solutions for the Family:

1)Remove dangerous chemical and aerosols.  Don’t use automatic cleaners in the toilet.

2)Install grab bars by the toilet and and in the shower.

3)Install a hand-held shower nozzle.  People with Alzheimer’s disease reach better to hand-held showers rather than overhead showers.

4)Install lever-type faucets on the sink with easy-to-see hot and cold symbols.

5)Make sure water temperature is not too hot for independent use.

6)Warm the bathroom to body temperature, but avoid floor level space heaters.  These can be very dangerous if they are in an elderly persons reach.  Use room-size rugs for warmth, but avoid rugs that could trip your elder loved one.

7)Use a fan to avoid fogging the bathroom.

8)Install a shower chair to aid balance and use a non-skid mat.  Discourage seniors from sitting directly in the bath tub.  It may be too difficult for him or her to get up.

Source:  Home Instead Senior Care – Alzheimer’s CAREGiver Training Program.

Home Instead Senior Care Southeast Houston, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Houston Bay Area Helping Seniors Living at Home with home health – Call us 281-484-0200.

Ensuring a safe, comfortable and organized environment for seniors.

Most elder loved ones feel the safest and most comfortable in their own homes, but we must consider the risk factors involved for Aging Adults suffering with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. For these older seniors, home is not always the safest as it once was, since their illness. To ensure seniors are happy and well-adjusted, you must establish a safe and comfortable environment for them.

Making appropriate changes to an aging adult’s home environment so it is safe and supportive, is not easy but is vital for an elder living with Alzheimer’s. The family of an a senior citizen can help in making suggestions in establishing a positive environment for their elder loved one. Maintaining these safety guidelines increases a senior’s ability to function and decreases difficult behaviors. This is an important issue that should not be overlooked concerning the aging population showing signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Aging adults may have had things the same way for more than 50 years and do not want change. A physical environment can greatly impact a Senior’s life. If well-done, surroundings can enhance what’s happening every day. On the other hand, a disorganized or unsafe physical environment can acutually inhibit the activity of everyday life and leave an elderly who lives with Alzheimer’s in turmoil.

Some suggestions to consider:

-Increase lighting levels
-Add bright accents and paintings
-Declutter the rooms, especially walkways
-Install lever type doorknobs
-Install secure railings on both sides of stairways
-Declutter closets – organize clothes by day
-Use safety latches on drawers and doors
-Chairs should have arm rests and be at elbow height

Your loved one’s physical environment can greatly impact their lives. Keep their homes organized and safe.